Art & Culture
of the
Huichol Indians
Huichol Yarn Painting
Living in small scattered settlements high in the Sierra Madre Mountains of central-west Mexico is an indigenous tribe of very unique and magical people - the Huichol Indians. The Huichol consider themselves "Mirrors of the Gods" and strive to reflect a sacred vision of the world, both physically and spiritually. To the Huichol, everything is alive and has a soul (called Kupuri) and is therefore divine.
The animals, colors and symbols of the yarn paintings represent the core of Huichol culture and religion. Each detail has great significance and weaves into the totality of the paintings' message. Eagle, snake, bird, jaguar, scorpion, turkey and deer -- living creatures who live among this fascinating culture.
Clearly, the beliefs of the Huichol Indians are very complex and elaborate. They involve myth, shamanism, ritual, peyote, prayer and ceremony. As was true in pre-Colombian times, much of their current art continues to depict these religious themes and serve as a means of passing on countless mystical stories.
Therefore, anyone fortunate enough to own a piece of Huichol art has more than a beautiful work of art - they are honored to hold a part of the Huichol culture, adorned with designs and motifs of individual historical and spiritual significance.
Huichol artists, Rosy and Cilau Valadez will be offering their work for sale at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture from July 2 - July 17.
View More Huichol Yarn Paintings... |
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MNMF Shops Gift Cards
Perfect for any gift giving!
Take a look at our great online shops:
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The Santa Fe International Folk Art Market, a non-profit organization, produces the largest international folk art market in the world, and their success has led to Santa Fe's designation as a UNESCO City of Folk Art.
This year's market weekend takes place July 8, 9 & 10 on Museum Hill in Santa Fe, New Mexico adjoining the renowned Museum of International Folk Art.
Read more about Folk Art Market...
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Indigo
 Organic Cotton Tote
Mysterious indigo sits on the color spectrum between blue and violet. The deep blue comes from harvesting, drying, and fermenting small leaves plucked from a shrub. Across millenniums and continents the color symbolized royalty and divinity. It served in mourning rites, shaded eyelids and hair, stimulated healing, tattooed bodies and deepened ornamental scars. Like gems, it became a currency. Like silk, it was coveted, commercialized, and expensively resold to people who once created it.
The legacy of indigo moves from India to South Asia to Africa and beyond. This hand woven tote was made by a women's weaving village in Laos using locally grown cotton and organic dyes.
Read About Blue Alchemy: Stories of Indigo...
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Global Girlfriends
 Global Girlfriends
Start small, dream big, change lives......
Eight years ago, Stacey Edgar had a $2,000 tax return and a deep desire to help provide economic security for women in need. She knew that of the 1.3 billion people living on less than $1 per day, 70% are women. What she didn't have was a business plan or a passport! But that didn't stop her from creating a socially conscious business that helped poor women in five continents help themselves - to feed their families and send their children to school.
Stacey Edgar will be signing her book at the Museum of International Folk Art Book Shop on Saturday, July 9 from 2:00pm - 3:30pm.
View More World Folk Art Books...
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Lily Jacobs and the Bead Weavers
of Lake Atitlan
 Guatemala Beaded Bracelet
Lily Jacobs moved to Santa Cruz, a small remote rustic village of a few thousand people on the shores of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala 12 years ago. Santa Cruz is populated by a colorful Mayan people who still wear costumes to signify which village they are from. The traditional color of Santa Cruz is red huipils and black corte (the name of their skirts.) They wear brightly colored scarves in their hair and all their clothes are woven by hand. Guatemala is famous for its weaving traditions but now this tradition is expanding to include weaving beads, which fit into the Mayan Culture as the Mayans feel that we are all connected by a huge woven web.
At present Lily works with over 50 women who now possess a valuable skill that helps support their families, and as their education process continues, it is hoped that many more women will become involved in this craft. Lilybead is committed to strictly adhering to "fair trade principles, respecting cultural differences, creating a cooperative working atmosphere and paying an appropriate wage." When designing and creating an item, the time, effort and skill level of the women is taken into consideration, as well as the cost of materials. No piece of jewelry will be put into production, though it may sell well, if it means exploiting the women.
Lily will be presenting a selection of beaded bracelets, earrings and necklaces for sale at the Museum of International Folk Art Gift Shop from July 7 - July 12.
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Have You Joined the Museum of New Mexico Foundation Yet?
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When you do, you will receive 10% off all purchases made online and at our shops. Plus, you will receive the Museum of New Mexico Foundation Newsletter, which is your source for Member News and Events. You will also receive a subscription to El Palacio magazine, the oldest museum magazine in the United States! Click here to join.
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