Collection: Verma Nequatewa/SONWAI

Verma was born in 1949 in the village of Hotevilla on the Hopi reservation, Arizona. After high school, she began silverwork in 1967 under her uncle, the renowned artist Charles Loloma (1922–1991). She then spent about 20 years, until the late 1980s, supporting Loloma's jewelry production at a workshop built near his home. Loloma's workshop closed in 1988, three years before his death. Incidentally, “loloma” means “beautiful” in Hopi.

Verma then began making jewelry with her own designs, as if carrying on Loloma's designs. “Sonwai” is a Hopi word meaning feminine “beauty,” and she is said to have chosen this name out of respect for her uncle. Making full use of multicolor inlay, in which colorful mineral materials such as turquoise, coral, sugilite and lapis lazuli are hand-cut and fitted together like a puzzle, as well as tufa casting, she creates work that sets her apart from other Hopi jewelry artists.

Verma has said:

“Charles showed me that the beauty in the Hopi environment, culture and ceremonies is all around us. My joy is combining the elements, ideas and materials that are now part of daily life to make the finest work, and letting many people see and feel a part of Hopi.”