Huichol Yarn Painting History

Huichol nierikas yarn paintings until very recently the huicholpronounced wettchol people of mexico did not have a written language.

Huichol yarn painting history. Huichol yarn painting comes from the huichol pronounced wee chol indian peoplewho livein western mexicoin the sierra madre mountain range. However the subject matter of the paintings represents religious themes such as ceremonies fiestas and the gods and often tells of events from huichol mythology. Yarn painting is not sacred as it has no place in traditional huichol culture. This video would be great for middle school or.

The unifying factor of the work is the colorful decoration using symbols and designs which date back centuries. Huichol yarn painting in traditional huichol communities an important ritual artifact is the nielika. Although the sale of artwork is a way of survival huichol art is deeply symbolic and nierikas bead or yarnwork votive paintings are petitions to the gods. In keeping with huichol tradition the paintings are not titled but often tell the story on the back.

The history of huichol yarn paintings. Theyarnpaintingstraditionally depicthuicholmythsand ceremoniesbutmodernworkscanrepresentstoriesof todays world. The yarn paintings evolved from early offerings made of stone. Instead they communicated their history through stories and symbols.

Learning to make yarn paintings and using the same technique to decorate notebooks cards boxes etc is something many wish they could do. Called nierikas these stone stone slabs were carved with designs then the raised ridges were painted with natural dyes made from crushed plants insects and seeds. A brief history of huichol art while huichol art is a relatively wide umbrella term it is most commonly thought to encompass the production of beaded and string art the former of which developed out of the latter which is always brightly coloured and features symbols animals and designs which are centuries old and of great significance to the wixaritari people. Huichol art broadly groups the most traditional and most recent innovations in the folk art and handcrafts produced by the huichol people who live in the states of jalisco durango zacatecas and nayarit in mexico.

This is an educational tutorial video that describes the huichol yarn paintings and explains how to make a yarn painting using elmers glue and yarn. This tradition is still strong for the huichol and we can learn a lot about their beliefs by looking at their artwork. Maize peyote and deer are usually present as well as candles arrows serpents scorpions and the gods eyes that point to the four cardinal directions. Huichol yarn painting mexican art and crafts that are renowned for its bold designs and bright colors like the sacred yarn paintings or nierika is made by the huichol.

Huichol nierikas yarn paintings handout created by s.