HOPI WAY

IN THE DESERT AREA OF NORTHEASTERN ARIZONA, THE HOPI PEOPLE SURVIVED FOR MANY CENTURIES DUE TO A BELIEF SYSTEM THAT STILL HOLDS STRONG TODAY. ONE OF THESE IDEAS PROMOTES THE CULTIVATION OF A SHORT, HARDY EAR OF CORN - A DIFFICULT OBJECTIVE AT BEST, REQUIRING DAILY ATTENTION AND CONSTANT PRAYERS. YET, EACH YEAR, THE FIELDS YIELD AN ANNUAL HARVEST RICH IN CORN, BEANS, SQUASH, MELONS, PEACHES AND GOURDS. MY PAINTING IS BASED ON THIS CONCEPT, WITH THE COLORS OF THE CORN REPRESENTING THE FOUR DIRECTIONS. ABOVE THE CORN STALKS ARE SYMBOLS FOR THE SUN AND CLOUDS, BOTH OF WHICH ARE NEEDED FOR THE PLANT TO SURVIVE. PRIESTS ARE ON BOTH SIDES, PRAYING FOR A SUCCESSFUL SEASON AS THEY SPRINKLE CORNMEAL - A FOOD FOR THE GODS, WHICH, IN THIS PAINTING ALSO REPRESENTS FALLING RAIN.

 

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To order, please call me directly at (928)300-2206.

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