Derrick Kaamasee is from the extended Laate family of Zuni Pueblo artists. He started carving in the late 1980's inspiring other family members to carve. His brother is artist Elton Kaamasee and his uncle is master carver Maxx Laate, who taught Derrick the art form.
Derrick makes extraordinary fetishes from warthogs to wizards. But we also adore his insects like this fabulous six-legged praying mantid. Predaceous insects, they are able to enchantedly swivel their heads because of a flexible joint between the head and prothorax. Forelegs are held in an upraised position as if in prayer, hence their name. They devour a variety of pests so they are an organic form of pest control. Creatively carved with a turned head and antennae, Derrick's rich pipestone praying mantis has turquoise inlaid eyes that carefully observe. We love the wing and jointed leg details as it quietly hides in the vegetation to hunt. About 4 1/4" tall, 2 1/4" wide and 1" deep.
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