3 photo journals capture diversity in the Southwest

"CLASSIC HOPI AND ZUNI KACHINA FIGURES," photographs by Andrea Portago, text by Barton Wright, Museum of New Mexico Press, 186 pages, clothbound, $55

"FINE INDIAN JEWELRY OF THE SOUTHWEST: THE MILLICENT ROGERS MUSEUM COLLECTION," Shelby Tisdale, Museum of New Mexico Press, 216 pages, clothbound, $50

"MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK: THE FIRST 100 YEARS," Rose Houk, Faith Marcovecchio, Duane A. Smith, Mesa Verde Museum Association and Fulcrum Publishing, 130 pages, clothbound, $21.95

While these three books discuss the arts and crafts, attitudes and history of Southwestern populations, the diversity of their origins and the remarkable similarity and continuity of their art makes for fascinating reading.

• "Classic Hopi and Zuni Kachina Figures" has photographer Andrea Portago presenting us with 100 classic-era (1880s-1940s) Hopi and Zuni carved figures from private and public collections.

Portago, a onetime high-fashion model, picked up photography on the job. She saw her first Kachina in the early '70s, and years later, after visiting an auction of Kachinas in New York City, decided to photograph them.

The Kachina images in this book demonstrate her skill: Each doll is bathed in available light, helping to retain its true colors and giving it a three-dimensional volume that brings them to life. Employing dark, weathered and hammered metal as a backdrop, each Kachina springs forward, as if wanting to tell you its reason for existence.

The insertion of Portago's black and white photographs of the area's landscape and buildings should have perhaps been reconsidered; even though they were meant to provide context, they are not as visually vital and lack the punch of the Kachina images.

Also, Barton Wright's essay on the diverse denizens of the Pueblo regions should be at the beginning of the book — his history of the people and their religions and philosophies is captivating reading, especially for anyone unfamiliar with the locale.

However, all things considered, "Kachina Figures" is tastefully produced and very enjoyable to look at and read.

• "Fine Indian Jewelry of the Southwest: The Millicent Rogers Museum Collection" is for all admirers of classic Native American jewelry design and craftsmanship.