Cover Image via El Universo 2014 I have been in my hew residence for nearly five years now and I am still yet to unpack every box transferred in the move. During an exploration of some of these boxes last week (I was looking for a particular book) I rediscovered a mask that I had long forgotten about. I found it, like most of my … Continue reading Máscaras : Dancing Devil Faces : Aya Huma of Ecuador
Cover Image : Las Lajas Sanctuary in the Nariño department of southwestern Colombia. This stunning neo-Gothic basilica was built inside the deep canyon of the Guáitara River. The church sits on a massive stone bridge that spans the 100-meter-deep canyon. Known as a miracle over the abyss, it has drawn global pilgrims since the 18th century to honour the Virgin of the Rosary of Las … Continue reading Nariño. The Place, People, and its Pottery.
It all started with this article…..from July of 2026……..(and a disclaimer that I am not being funded or sponsored by any of the companies/products in this Post. I do it for my own interest – much as everything else I post – and I like pretty pictures) To elaborate…… (text in BOLD were links in the article that took me elsewhere. I have added these … Continue reading Ranch Water
The writing system used by the Aztec at the time the Spanish arrived was not the same as the one we use today, the one I’m using now. Instead of using an alphabetic, syllabic text they essentially drew comic books. I do not mean to disparage them in any way by saying this and, when we eventually get to my exploration of botanical terminology and … Continue reading Sidetrack : Flor de Izote
I have a small (but growing) collection of masks and I am ever on the lookout for new additions, particularly from Mexico. I find it fascinating thinking of the journey the mask made to end up in Australia and into my hands. For some reason (maybe clumsiness?) I prefer wooden masks over the clay/ceramic ones. I like the feel of wood, the story it tells … Continue reading Mis Máscaras : Máscara Guatemalteco
A collection of the artists Luis Ricardo Amendolla Gasparos signatures (that I have been able to find) on various of his artworks. No reason really. Continue reading Amendollas signature.
In my Post Arte Mexicano : Mi Colección I wrote briefly about Luis Amendollas art “on public display” To recap Amendollas art on public display. The Spirit of La Fonda. This book describes the 50-year history and culture of the venerable La Fonda Restaurant in Lafayette, La. (1) one of the state’s most popular eating establishments. The book is also an autobiography of the restaurant’s … Continue reading Amendolla and La Fonda
Xochipilli is one of the more benign figures (sacrificially speaking) in the pantheon of mesoamerican forces. Xochipilli has been linked to (and worshipped as) in various guises as the young god of the dawn (1) (and also the setting sun) (2), a god of vegetation (most notably of flowers but also intoxicating plants and the sprouting seed) a god of games, song, dance, poetry and … Continue reading Xochipilli : Different Iconographies
Although my primary focus is on masks from the Americas – particularly Mexico, where borders are as fluid as the plants that cross them – my collection spans a variety of cultures. While I’ve acquired a number of exceptional Mexican masks, I also collect traditional masks from Oceania and Asia. Living in Australia, I am fortunate to be immersed in a region rich with diverse … Continue reading Máscaras de Sri Lanka
