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M ex ica n Y a r n P a in t in g by Shelley H am m Rae T \ etra Jobst introduces sum m er visitors to the unique, original, M a r n p aintin gs of the H uichol Indians of M exico and their / neighbours, the Tepehuano. The H uichol and Tepehuano are indigenous trib es w hose preHispanic culture still survives in the remote Sierra M adres ranges and live a life w oven of m ag ic and sa c re d m ythology. T heir earthly representatives - corn, peyote and the deer - sustain them both sym bolically and daily, renewing their divinity. These women and men keep alive their ancient traditions, which remain a p re ca rio u s re ality for an in d ig en o u s people still re la tively unaffected by Western civilization. In this land of canyons, sparse ra in fall, and uncertain cro p s, these Indians depend on their close, psychic connections with Nature to survive. The yarn paintings called "N ierik as" , or m irror im ages of God, are crea tive m anife statio ns em bodying the shared b e lie fs of the two tribes, that we all make our own realities. Such works, em p o w e re d by the v is io n a r y c a c tu s p e y o te , are m a g ic a l ta lis m a n s, w hich serve to restore a fusion w ith lost, natural forces. Each colour, every line, every sym bol, no m atter how abstract, has a m eaning carried out in the artw ork they create. White is the Cloud Spirits. Blue is the South, the P a cific Ocean, Water, Rain and Femininity. The Rabbit and Serpent represent Fertility. Red is the East, Grandfather, Fire, and M asculine. Green is the Earth, Heaven, Healing, the Heart, and Grandfather growth. The Eagle is a divine guardian. The Two-headed Eagle is God looking all w ays at once. The figure, with w hat appears to be long protrusions from his head, is a Shaman talking with Gods or the Spirits. The Deer represents Peyote, and the Elder Brother Deer, and the link between the Shaman and the Great Spirit. Flowers, w hich m irror the Sp irits into the W orld, alw ays adorn the Huichol and Tepehuano artwork and act as the passageway to the heart. Petra Jo b st endeavours to support the w ork of a pair of Irish nuns, in the remote area of Santa Maria del Oro, who originally w ent the re to learn lo c a l h e alin g p ra c tic e s and sh a re th e ir inform ation with the com m unity. They have com e to know the spiritual importance of the local artwork. Let your heart lead you on a mythical journey into the culture of the Huichol and Tepehuano and weave yourself into the magic of the yarn paintings. Yarn paintings from the Huichol Indians of Mexico WHO: Petra Jobst presents The Huichol and Tepehuano of Mexico WHAT: Yarn Painting WHERE: Seymour Art Gallery. 4360 Gallant Ave.. Deep Cove WHEN: Opening Reception Thursday August 9 7-9 until September 9 INFO: email: info@seymourartgallery.com Tel: 604.924.1378 show continues