"La Comunicacion de Los Dioses..." by shaman / artist, Jose Benitez Sanchez (1938-2009)
Nierika yarn painting; acrylic yarns, beeswax, plywood; shadowbox wood
frame; pencil-signed, with explanatory story verso; c.1980's; Tsitakua,
Nayarit, Mexico. Fine condition. 16" X 16"
1,000 USD
[ Click thumbnail for larger picture ]
*José Benitez Sanchez was born in 1938 in the settlement of San Pablo, where his father was a
famous mara’akáme. Benitez credits his own path as a shaman to a revelation following an illness
when he was fifteen, after which he set off on his first pilgrimage to Wirikuta. Benitez pursued the
dual paths of shaman and artist almost from the start, and has been recognized as a master since
he 1970’s. He pioneered a style of fluid figures in compositons which are dynamic, complex, and
colorful to the point of being psychedelic. His success as an artist coincided with his growing stature
in his own community. He helped found the indigenous community of Tsitákua, and was elected its
first tatoani, or governor. Benitez’ work has been exhibited world-wide, and is included in many private
and public collections. In addition to the substantial collection which was exhibited at the University of Pennsylvania, his work is included in the collection at the UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History.
We regret that José Benitez Sanchez passed away on July 2nd, 2009. He had been ill for some time,
and recently suffered some serious injuries.
