Elysia Poon
Curator Elysia Poon is Director of the Indian Arts Research Center at the School for Advanced Research, Santa Fe. With two decades of experience in the museum field, she has demonstrated a commitment to collaborative programming and a dedication to community-based collections care throughout her career.
Elysia chose the following for the Grounded in Clay exhibit:
Zuni k’yabokya de’ele (water jar)
c. 1720
Clay and paint
10 x 12 in. (25.4 x 30.5 cm)
VF2015.04.01
Collection Vilcek Foundation
For Tim
When I initially chose this piece, it was with the intention of sharing conversations with Tim Edaakie about this extraordinary k’yabokya de’ele. Tim was a remarkable Zuni potter, the 2019 Rollin and Mary Ella King Native Artist Fellow at SAR, and a friend. But then he fell ill, the pandemic began, time and space became jumbled, and, after a prolonged illness, Tim passed away far too young in September 2020. Rather than shift directions entirely, I decided instead to offer a story to this k’yabokya de’ele, a memory of one of her descendants, of Tim, for her to enjoy.
It was a few years back, and I had to be in Zuni on business. Tim had gently chided me the last time he found out that I had traveled to Zuni and had not let him know, so this time I made a point of reaching out. Tim was always incredibly generous with his time and knowledge, and this occasion was no exception. After work, we watched dances together, shared a meal of chili and cheese with his wonderful friends, chatted endlessly, and explored his studio. The next day, before we had to leave, Tim took me and my colleague to some of his favorite spots. He was so enormously proud of his community and of where he was from, it was hard not to be inspired by him and not to find awe in the things he found beautiful. Those moments were precious, and I will always carry them with me.