Yarn Painting

Yarn Painting
7TH Grade Survey
Mrs. Wilson
Yarn Painting History
• Living in small scattered
settlements high in the
Sierra Madre Mountains
of central-west Mexico
is an indigenous tribe of
very unique and
magical people - the
Huichol Indians.
• Where do the Huichol
Indians live?
Huichol Indians
• The extreme
remoteness of the
territory and rugged
mountain ranges spared
the Huichols from being
conquered by the
Spaniards and from
being substantially
changed by the Mexican
culture.
• What has kept the Huichol
Indians from changing?
Huichol Indians
• They remain one of the last
tribes of people in North
America who still live much
as they did in pre-Colombian
times, maintaining the same
ageless rituals and beliefs.
They are considered by
many anthropologists to be
an invaluable window to the
past.
• Why do anthropologists
consider them an invaluable
window to the past?
Huichol Indians
• The Huichol consider
themselves "Mirrors of
the Gods" and strive to
reflect a sacred vision of
the world, both
physically and
spiritually. To the
Huichol, everything is
alive and has a soul
(called Kupuri) and is
therefore divine.
Huichol Indians
• These deeply
religious people
have a belief
structure which
encompasses every
aspect of life and
includes worship of
multiple deities
through offerings
and prayers.
Huichol Indians
• Tile Huichol use their
mode of dress as
another important form
of religious expression.
Their highly ornate and
colorful clothing is said
to give pleasure to the
gods, ensuring their
benevolence and
protection of the
Huichol.
• Why do the Huichols wear
colorful clothing?
Huichol Indians
• The Huichol are highly
creative people who
reflect their strong
ceremonial traditions
and rich mythology in
their visionary art work.
• What are the main
themes in Huichol art?
Huichol Indians
• Mystical experiences
can only be told by
the tribal shamans,
but all tribal
members are
encouraged to
express them
through their art
and offerings to the
gods.
Huichol Indians
• Through their art work,
whether it be the
beaded art (called
Chaquira), yarn
paintings (called
Nearika), or their
embroidery, the Huichol
encode and document
their spiritual beliefs.
• What are the three types of
art forms?
Huichol Indians
• Anthropologists
consider this art
form a significant
part of their culture,
for the Huichol have
never developed a
written language.
• Why do Anthropologists
consider yarn painting a
significant part of their
culture?
Huichol Indians
• Clearly, the beliefs
of the Huichol
Indians are very
complex and
elaborate. They
involve myth,
shamanism, ritual,
peyote, prayer and
ceremony.
Huichol Indians
• As was true in preColombian times, much
of their current art
continues to depict
these religious themes
and serve as a means
of passing on countless
mystical stories.
• What do the paintings do for
their culture?
Huichol Indians
• Therefore, anyone
fortunate enough to
own a piece of
Huichol art has more
than a beautiful
work of art - they
are honored to hold
a part of the Huichol
culture.
Huichol Indians
• They are adorned
with designs and
motifs of individual
historical and
spiritual significance
to the Huichol
Indians of the Upper
Sierra Madre
Mountains.
More Examples
Directions for Student Yarn Painting
Materials
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6”x9” newsprint
Rulers
6”x9” cardboard
Yarn
Scissors
Glue
Sunday comics
Garfield handout
Practice Grid Drawing
• Draw a practice
Garfield on the grid
worksheet.
Student Activity
• Choose a comic strip
character.
• Make sure it’s not
too complicated.
• Character needs to
be fairly large with
few details.
Grid Drawing of Comic
• Draw a ½ inch grid
on to the comic
character.
Transferring Comic to Cardboard
• Using a 6”x9”
cardboard, draw a
grid in proportion to
your comic
character grid.
• See teacher for
help.
• Enlarge character
onto cardboard.
Redraw Comic onto Cardboard
• Analyze proportions
of drawing by
looking at the
drawing and comic
upside down.
• Adjust drawing.
Painting with Yarn
• Glue black yarn onto
the outlines of the
comic character.
• Use minimal glue.
• Fill in areas neatly with
colored yarn.
• Don’t leave gaps.
• Sign first and last name
on back clearly.
Student Samples
Student Samples
Student Samples
Student Samples
Student Samples
Student Samples
Student Samples
Student Samples