Visions of a Huichol Shaman

Shamanistic art the world over is punctate (which I think is related to the awareness of the fabric of retinal cell color sensation); thus, the embroidered linen art of the Huichol natives of western Mexico is not suprising, if not unusual. This book is a fascinating account of the mythology, peyote lore, way of life, and art and craft of these Indians. It focuses on the shaman-artist José Benítez Sánchez. Peter T. Furst, the anthropologist and author, provides over 50 colored photographs and full explanations. We learn much about the peyote cactus as sacred sacrament and source of visionary art. Examining the complex, dense, symbolic, and colorful art may suggest similar patterns seen on Tibetan thankas (particularly mandalas), Australian Aboriginal art, and also Fillmore and Avalon Ballroom posters of the LSD-influenced 1960s. The book may be short, merely 106 pages, but it is eye-opening and leaves the reader with much to ponder.