Thursday, June 21, 2012

Spiritual Connections With Native American Artwork

By Thelma Kent


The history and emotion that is present in the vast majority of Native American artwork is reverent to look upon. Traditional styles as well as those influenced by European standards still exude a sense of strong spirituality. More modern pieces using pen and ink are still as wonderful as the other types.

A historic people, the North American natives trace their blood right back to cave man days. Crossing over from Europe and Asia on the Bering Strait land bridge of long ago, they eventually conquered this land and made it their own. They are the first people of the nation, not to be forgotten despite their adherence to traditional ways.

Art has always been a strong part of indigenous culture. Many different cultures the world over have used art to invoke their gods, to send messages and prayers to heavenly sky beings, and to leave the mark of their belief system on the world. Cave paintings show modern people how those now lost to time lived, as well as what they valued and what they believed in.

Artwork that comes out of such strong roots can be found in intricately woven baskets as well as complicated designs painted painstakingly with sand. Many native artists have made the move to canvas or are using illustration board to share their creative vision. This means that their art can be shared with a bigger audience or stored in a private gallery.

Most native arts on canvas or board demonstrate a unique style specific to a given culture. Images often include people and animals, rather than scenic vistas of the land around them. Because of their inherent ability to understand the world and its web like connections to everything, natives often create artwork that evokes that connection and focuses on spirits of animals or people, or even their gods.

native american artwork is legendary with how it portrays spirituality in vivid colour. Unique unless a print, each piece is different, drawing from a different source or part of the cultural mythos these people share. Like their art, their influence continues on and heads towards a brilliant future.




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