Huichol Yarn Paintings and Beadwork

This is the first in the series of posts reporting on the artists and places we visited in February of 2009. The Chiripa partners ventured into new territory on this buying trip: Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico. Our quest was to get closer to the source of Huichol artwork. The Huichol people create intricate yarn paintings that depict their world view. Below is one piece (14" x 14") we shipped to Chiripa.


In addition to yarn paintings they carve wooden figures, cover the wood (or clay, in some cases) with beeswax, and then enbed colorful glass beads in the wax with painstaking detail. In the pictures below you can see how the artists picks up the beads with a needle and places them one by one on the carved piece.


We were disappointed to learn that the Huichol cultural center we had hoped to visit was temporarily closed. We were able to amuse ourselves visiting the artists working and selling in their designated block. The man below is making beaded jewelry.


Most of our buying took place at the state-run (DIF) shop that supports the Huichol people.


If you are ever in Tepic, you will find a fine selection of yarn paintings, beaded figures, clothing, books and more. The address is Av. Mexico exquina con Abasolo, Palacio de Gobierno, Tepic, Nayarit. Phone 01 311 216 99 17.

If you can't make it to Tepic, visit Chiripa in Madison, Wisconsin