Codex Taawa is a series of illustrations inspired by ancient imagery that explores the cosmos of the Hopi. Each piece highlights a part of the Hopi tradition, stories, or knowledge. The original artworks are black and copper ink on handmade Nepalese Lhakpa Paper. This series is inspired by the Codices of Mesoamericans. These screen-fold, or accordion-fold, manuscripts are often elaborately illustrated with character or symbol writing. Only twelve of what may have been thousands are known to have survived.

Gerald grew up in the Hopi village of Munqapi, located in the desert of Northern Arizona, and with Cherokee relatives in the deep woods of Oklahoma. He remembers the night skies. With little outdoor lighting at Munqapi and none at his Cherokee grandparent’s home, the night sky was overwhelming, with every space filled with stars, planets, meteors, the milky way, and the moon. In 1994, in partnership with NASA and the University of Arizona, Gerald was honored to be asked to create artwork depicting the Hopi cosmos, which was sent into space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour (STS-59). Through his artwork, Gerald hopes to share his cultures, educate the public about the rich heritage of native nations, and promote a greater understanding of the indigenous world.

ISBN: 978-1-940322-45-2

Page count: 104

Size: 7 x 9

Cover: Hardcover