Art of the Huichol Indians;

The Huichol or Wixáritari are Native Mexicans. They are best known to the larger world as the Huichol, however, they refer to themselves as Wixáritari ("the people") in their native Huichol language. In the past thirty years, about four thousand Huichols have migrated to cities. It is these urbanized Huichols who have drawn attention to their rich culture through their art. To preserve their ancient beliefs they began making detailed and elaborate yarn paintings. The symbols in these paintings are sprung out of Huichol culture and its shamanistic traditions. From the small beaded eggs and jaguar heads to the modern detailed yarn paintings in psychedelic colors, each is related to a part of Huichol tradition and belief. The modern yarn that Huichols use is woven much tighter and is thinner allowing for great detail and the colors are commercial allowing for much more variety. Before access to these materials in cities, Huichols used vegetable dyes. The first large yarn paintings were exhibited in Guadalajara in 1962 which were simple and traditional. At present with the availability of a larger spectrum of commercial dyed and synthetic yarn, more finely spun yarn paintings have evolved into high quality works of art. This publication and the exhibition that accompanied it borrowed from old and documented collections around the country to provide a comprehensive view of Huichol art from the late 19th century to the time of its exhibit in 1978-79. It was exhibited in San Francisco, Chicago, and New York. There are sections on Huichol sacred art, peyote and the mystic vision, the neurochemistry of religious insight and ecstasy, acculturation and economics, and shamanism.