About Fourth World Design
We are pleased to announce the establishment of a 100 % Native American Indian-owned business "Fourth World Design" (FWD). A relatively new company, we started out by designing, printing and packaging colorful note cards that depict American Indian artwork created by Gerald Dawavendewa. Recently, FWD added a line of print-reproductions using Gerald's original ink sketches. We are also carry gift items and a line of Koshari Winter cards. All products carry Gerald's designs and his trademark signature.In addition, FWD offers several services, graphic design, web design, book readings, and lectures on art and Hopi culture. Gerald (Hopi/Cherokee) and Sylvia Dawavendewa (Havasupai/Hopi/Tewa) own FWD, he does the lectures, artwork and graphic layouts while Sylvia is responsible for sales, scheduling and marketing. Photo: Sylvia and Gerald Dawavendewa attending the REZ 2005 Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Mission
Fourth World Design seeks to become a premier Indian owned and operated company focused on providing excellent graphic and web design services, and producing authentic Native American fine art and products that carry our unique graphic and photo designs. The intent of our company is to educate and share various aspects of our culture with customers in a manner that conveys the dignity and beauty in Native American art and culture.
Dawavendewa Signature
The
Hopi culture is rich in symbolism and is a tradition that is still in use
today. It can be seen in the creation of Katsinam tihu, or katsinam dolls
which are a creation of symbols. Inspired by this, and of the Cherokee Alphabet,
Dawavendewa created a unique signature that blends the modern alphabet with
the ancient use of symbolism. He has applied this to the whole Alphabet
and to the Fourth World Design name.
Fourth World Design Logo
The
Fourth World Design logo and name is inspired by Tuuwaqatsi, the present world. The journey of Hopi has migrated through three previous worlds filled with challenges. In this the fourth world our task is to live according to principles set for Hopi by the Creator. Our art and designs contain symbols of an ancient history and a rich culture that serve as reminders of past challenges, and the guiding principles we are still expected to live by. Drawing on that foundation we have developed contemporary art work that respects the legacy of our people while recognizing changes in contemporary tribal societies. Our logo is a prime example it incorporates designs from the tribe we have in common Hopi and adds elements of our Tewa, Cherokee, and Havasupai heritage.
At the center, "Taawa" the sun resides surrounded by prayer feathers. Below, water flows from Havasu Falls of the Grand Canyon, a sacred place to many native people especially to Havasua Baaja indigenous to the Canyon and known as "the guardians of the Canyon". Within the canyon walls is a twig animal created by prehistoric people of the area. Traveling clockwise the land contains symbols of fish, corn, bird, and prayer elements. Above are a butterfly and dragonfly with a prayer bundle among mounds of corn meal and seeds, prayer offerings for this world. Next to the dragonfly are Cherokee symbols of land and water above three letters from the cherokee alphabet: Tsa-La-Gi, the name for Cherokees. Flying past the alphabet is an eagle, he is a bridge between sky and land. Eagle faces squash maiden, she represents the spiritual world. Beside her is a gourd of water and an ear of corn, ancient symbols of nourishment for the people. Stars representing the cosmos travel over growing corn plants drinking from the water of the falls.