Jemez / Tesuque pueblo

 

Cyndee Sandia Brophy Toledo, “New Snow”, member of the Sun Clan, was born in 1957. She is half Jemez and half Tesuque. Cyndee was inspired to continue the family tradition of pottery making by several of her family members. Tradition is an extremely high priority in her life. At the age of 10 she began experimenting with pottery. When she reached the age of 18 her interest in pursuing a career as an artisan had become much stronger.

Cyndee specializes in handmade natural story pots and natural seed pots. She constructs her pottery by the “pinch & coil” method. She gathers all her materials from within the hills of the Jemez Pueblo. She hand cleans the clay, mixes, hand pinches, shapes, paints and fires her pottery, outdoors. Every piece of her pottery tells the story of the circle of life. The birds of paradise reflect the male courting the female with flowers.

Baskets filled with food represent the food of life. The rain represents showers of blessings. The elegant swans represent the gracefulness of life, hummingbirds and insects represent pollination for fullness in life in all the directions of the wind within the steps of life. Cyndee has established herself an a fine artisan, and continues to grow with experience as time passes on. Cyndee is related to Art & Rose Sandia (parents). She signs her pottery as: Cyndee Brophy, Jemez, NM, followed by a title of her work and year it was made.

Awards:
-1978 Towa Arts Honorable Mention
-1979 Towa Arts Honorable Mention
-1981 Towa Arts Honorable Mention

Publications:
-Miniature Arts of the Southwest
-Southern Pueblo Pottery 2,000 Artist Biographies