Reply to Thread

Message:: [QUOTE="komokwa, post: 12877582, member: 301"]While traditional Navajo sandpaintings are temporary, sacred visual prayers created on the ground during healing ceremonies and ritually destroyed by sunset, commercial sandpaintings on board emerged in the mid-20th century. To honor tribal religious protocols and prevent disrespecting the sacred imagery, Navajo commercial artisans intentionally introduce slight alterations, color shifts, or structural omissions from the strict ceremonial originals. This allows collectors to preserve and appreciate the gorgeous aesthetics of Southwestern indigenous art without infringing on sacred traditions. The figures depicted are Yei (Holy People), who act as spiritual messengers and mediators between the Navajo people and the Creator. The figure on the left (the selected region) features a squared rectangular head mask traditionally associated with a Female Yei, while the companion board on the right features a rounded head mask traditionally associated with a Male Yei. Both figures hold sacred plants, likely cornstalks or beans, symbolizing harvest, growth, and cosmic balance. .The signature K. Benally points to a member of the well-known Benally family of Navajo sandpainters and artisans from the Four Corners region. I'd need them in my hand to know if they were signed by the artist...... or just tourist art that use his design..? Is that a K or an L..?[/QUOTE]