Huichol Nierikas (Yarn Paintings)

Name:
Huichol Nierikas (Yarn Paintings)
Until very recently, the Huichol (pronounced
Wettchol) people of Mexico did not have a
written language. Instead, they
communicated their history through stories
and symbols. This tradition is still strong for
the Huichol and we can learn a lot about their
beliefs by looking at their artwork.
Nierikas (pronounced Near-eeka) are
traditional yarn paintings made by the Huichol
people. Natural glue, made from tree resin and
beeswax, is applied to a board, and yarn is
pressed into it and left to harden. The designs
and symbols on the Nierikas are based on their
myths, stories and
personal daily
activities. The yarn paintings portray the
Huichol belief that people are connected to
nature and all living things. The Huichols
believe it is their duty to take care of the earth
because they depend on it for survival.
Nierikas are not purely decorative objects; they
are purposeful and very important to the
Huichol people. These spiritual artworks are
part of the rituals the Huichols participate in on a
regular basis, and they begin learning them at a
very young age. A Nierika is a device that
allows a Huichol person to communicate with
the spirit world. The symbols and rituals on
them are a way of asking the gods to bring rain
and sun to grow their crops. After creating
them, the Nierikas are left in sacred places like
temples, springs, and caves.
Handout created by S. Wagner-Marx
Project
For this project you will be designing your
own nierika. Your completed yarn
painting will be symbolic of your
experiences and beliefs. Follow these steps
for a successful project.
1. Brainstorm things in your life that
are important to you and write them
in the box below. Consider aspects
of your daily life, your beliefs,
thoughts, ideas, and special events.
2. Make three thumbnail sketches that
incorporate some of your ideas. Your design
should be balanced using symmetry or
asymmetry. What shape will your
composition be? Will it be square, circular,
rectangular, etc? (Consider having a few large
organic shapes as the focal point(s), and
break the background space into geometric
shapes.) Choose the thumbnail sketch that
you think works the best and put a star next to
it.
**Boxes for thumbnail sketches are on the next page
Handout created by S. Wagner-Marx
3. Transfer your final sketch to the cardboard.
4. Working on a small area at a time,
apply glue to your design with an old
paintbrush. Add yarn to the glue areas
and press down with your fingers or a
Q-tip.
Use a contrasting or complimentary
color to outline your shapes before
you fill them in. This will give your
image a halation, or halo-like, effect
and will make it stand out more for
viewers.
Fill in all available space with yarn. No cardboard should show
when you are finished!
Handout created by S. Wagner-Marx