The Huichol people of Jalisco, Durango, Zacatecas and Nayarit, Mexico, known in their native language as Wixáritari, are globally recognised for their fantastically intricate, spiritually significant and brilliantly colourful bead and yarn folk art.

While Huichol art is most commonly thought to encompass the production of beaded and yarn art, which is always brightly coloured and features symbols, animals and designs which are centuries old and of great significance to the Wixáritari people.

Beaded Huichol art is typically seen in the form of jewellery and bowls, but also masks and wooden animal figures, whereas the wax-and-yarn artworks (popular amongst Durango-based Huicholes in particular) tend to be wall hangings. The one consistent thread running through all modern Huichol art is the religious significance of each piece, as well as its status as a valuable source of income for Wixáritaris.

The artwork allows them to express their reverence, relationship, and interdependence with nature including earth, water, fire, and air.

Photography by Mr.TinDC