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