Huichol Art

 WHERE:             Texas Folklife Gallery, 1317 S. Congress, Austin (behind Ten Thousand Villages)

WHEN:                March 9 to March 16

                             Opening Reception – Sunday, March 9, 2:00 to 5:00 PM    Free and open to the public.

 “Wuirrarika Wuewuiyaya – Huichol Art” presents a selection of twenty-five art pieces created meticulously by Huichol Indians of the ceremonial center Santa Catarina in the municipality of Mexquitic, northern Jalisco.  Contemporary pieces made of yarn and beads are a continuation of traditional methods used for centuries to represent and communicate with deities.  

Huichol sacred art pieces are created by pressing yarn or beads on Campeche wax over wood boards. Today Huichol art is created with these contemporary materials which have replaced more traditional supplies like clay, rock, shells, seeds, and natural dyes. Modern materials have allowed the evolution of more elaborate and colorful designs as well as more flexibility in presenting traditional religious themes.  It has also allowed for the commercialization of popular art alongside strictly religious elements.  Despite this commercial evolution of the art form, the themes in the designs have changed very little over the years and many pieces conserve their symbolic and religious significance.  

Artists Casimiro De la Cruz Lopez, Martha De la Torre Enriquez, and Lucía Lopéz Robles spend much of their time in Santa Catarina helping De la Cruz’ father who has been elected spiritual leader of their community for many years.  These artists grew up as farmers and evolved into master folk artists exhibiting their work internationally in north America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.  De la Cruz co-illustrated the children’s book “The Journey of Tunuri and the Blue Deer” and is also a musician who tours throughout Mexico performing Huichol music.   

Twenty-five pieces will be on display and available for sale at the Texas Folklife Gallery between March 9 and March 16, during the popular festival South by Southwest.  An opening reception will be held on Sunday March 9 from 2:00 to 5:00 PM.