Ancient portals

Size: 61x102cm, 2x3.3ft

Contemporary artist: Cristina Huarte

Master dyers: Leonor Lazo González and Samuel Bautista Lazo

Master weaver: Justino Martínez Mendoza

Materials and methods: criollo sheep and merino wool hand dyed with natural dyes: Bèé (cochineal), Yagshii (mule fat) and Xiuhquilitl (indigo) . Handwoven on a Zapotec style loom of the 16th century adapted from European styles. Woven using a 7 threads per inch reed and wool rayon blend for warp.

Patterns and symbols.

This rug was designed by Cristina Huarte as part of her series of paintings 'Inflorescencia: un retorno al jardín del exilio' (Inflorescence: a return to the exile garden). This series of paintings and acompanying sculpture was presented at the Laaz Galnazal Xtee Xigyæ' (Centro Cultural Comunitario de Teotitlan del Valle). This rug painting evokes th mythical caves of the Cloud People (Benizaa) that connect us to our ancestors. These are portals that can be accessed through dream like states in which past, present and future coexists. The oldest known technique in our culture for entering the dream world in an awake state is to look at our own hands and remember that perception is an act of conscience and that realuty is a mirror that reflects part of the totaliy of being, not all, just part of it--most often we remember the awake state but fail to remember the dream world. The smoky mirror that clouds our perception is the mind, the intent of seeing past the mind machine that constantly creates the reality that we perceive allows us to have more awareness in our dream world. Ancient Nawales, Shamans, Seers, dreamers, medicine people, artists and some creative inventors and scientists have access to this way of perception. In her line of work and having lived in our village of Xiguiea (Teotitlan del Valle) Cristina Huarte has learned about the ancient nawales, having studied the cosmology of our ancient cultures in Anawak, Cristina has also awakened her ancient lineage of seers. The witches that live in her family bloodline who also suffered torture and persecution by the church and the inquistion in order to conform and "civilize" to a patriarchal culture, now speak to her again, through portals and call her to the ancient caves, the craddle of true knowledge and healing.