TURTLE SWIM CIRCLE PUZZLE BY MONICA NUVAMSA (HOPI)
Monica is a member of the Water Cloud Clan from the Village of Shungopavi in Second Mesa, AZ. Her maternal clan originates from the Tewa people that arrived to the Hopi villages from the Rio Grande valley of New Mexico around the time of the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. Her paternal grandfather was Bear Clan from Acoma Pueblo of New Mexico. Monica’s paternal lineage comes from the Havasupai people from the Grand Canyon. Her paternal grandparents are of the Parrot/Kachina clan and Badger clan from the Hopi Village of Orayvi.
Monica is a self-taught artist raised among a community and family of artists in drawing, painting, silvercraft, woven basketry, and sewing. She has shared her work in the Hopi community through designing logos and posters for local nonprofits and government services. Her artwork is also featured on the official flag of the Hopi Tribe.
Her artwork crosses several mediums including pen & ink, painting, graphic design and featured on puzzles, fabric and Hopi overlay jewelry. Monica considers the gift of art as both therapy and expression of prayer, a gift she is just beginning to share more in this phase of her life.