Wonderful art of the Yoeme Art Association will be a featured exhibition at the Tucson Birthday celebration at San Xavier Mission August 21. The Pasqua Yaqui  members exhibiting their work at the mission are Rene Alvarez, Marcelino Flores and Louis David Valenzuela.

More information of the Pasqua Yaqui and the Yoeme Art Association can be seen on my previous feature article titled: The Marvels of Pasqua Yaqui Art (June 13, 2010)

It is very easy to see when viewing the art of the Yoeme that their inspiration comes from the heart.  Their culture and traditions are reflected in the creations of these spiritual people. Below are just a small sampling of what you will see at the August 21 presentation and I have included the artist’s statements.

Yoemem-People

Pride, honor, and respect exist among the people and the Yaqui spiritual community is strengthened by stories of our elders teaching pride, honor, and respect in a magical context.

I honor and respect all my elders and their stories by focusing on the human aspect and natural features of our Yoemem and the colors of the festivities.

Rene Alvarez Yoeme Artist, 520-312-3204

Suem Return To The Sea by Rene Alvarez

Tampalero by Rene Alvarez

Bwia-Land

Generations have fought to keep the God-given lands of the Rio Yaqui, Sonora, Mexico. The land is a part of the people just as the huya-wilderness can be represented literally and figuratively exist within a branch.

Our desert landscapes are so fragile and majestic; I do my best to cherish every bit of our desert colors, textures, as accented by the life, stories, and culture of the Yoemem.

Marcelino Flores, Story Telling Oil Painter, 520-342-7396,  EMAIL: worldbug@inbox.com

Wilkit Alva by Marcelino Flores

Vovok Brings Rain by Marcelino Flores

Luturia-Our Truth

Our Truth, our traditions, serves as the core and foundation or our artistic views. Colors reflect a way life founded in the beauty of our festivals, emotions, and throughout nature. Our artists, guided by elders and traditional living, are able to expand in mind, body, and spirit.

Every aspect begins by giving thanks to the creator. Honoring your gifts is the only true way to live. Our Truth, Our traditions are one and the same as Itom Luturia.

Louis David Valenzuela, Traditional Wood Carver, 520-850-7180, EMAIL: louisvalenzuela@rocketmail.com

Hand craved Plaque 1

Hand Carved Plaque 2

The location for this Tucson Birthday celebration is located at one of Tucson’s true treasures San Xavier del Bac. The mssion was built between 1783 and 1797 by the Tohono O’odham tribe, under the direction of Spanish Franciscans. The mission opened Tucson’s first public school in Nov. 7, 1864.

Address and contact information.

Mission San Xavier del Bac

1950 W. San Xavier Road,

Tucson, AZ 85746-7409

520-294-2624

info@sanxaviermission.org

The Mission is located just off of Interstate-19 at Exit 92, on the San Xavier Indian Reservation, 6 miles south of Interstate-10 in Tucson  It is one of the oldest and most well preserved missions in the southwest.

NOTE: If you are unable to attend the August 21 exhibition the Yoeme Art Association will be exhibiting at the Indoor Art Market, TUCSON MALL, August 28 & 29.

Logo of Yoeme Artists' Association

The art of the Pascua Yaqui, who call themselves Yoeme, show us once again the amazing creative talent we have in Tucson. Yoeme art strongly reflects their tribal heritage and culture dating back centuries. Their beliefs have been influenced since the early 1500s and successfully blend the religion taught by early Jesuit priests and their own unique beliefs that include their beloved deer dancer.

Viewing the unique art below you will see the prominent influence of the deer dancer in their logo and tribal symbols. The deer dancer, a central figure in the spiritual lives of the Pascua Yaqui tribe, becomes most notable during the Easter season when it is seen participating in ceremonies that depict holy events during this period. The ancient ceremony involves highly trained men dancing wearing a headdress depicting a deer’s head and whose steps imitate movement of a deer. Pascua is Spanish for Easter.

You will also notice in Yoeme art, flowers play a very important significance in their lives and ceremony. It is from the ancient belief that their deer dancer is from a flower-filled spiritual world of natural beauty. The symbolic flowers, depicted in their art and ceremonies, come from the belief that Christ’s grace grew from the blood from Jesus’ wounds during the crucifixion. They are believed to be very powerful weapons against evil and have become a prevalent symbol in their embroidered floral designs in traditional Yaqui clothing.

Many of the photos below were taken by myself at a recent event at the Cultural Center. As you can see, I am not a professional photographer and the art looks much better in person.

Slide 1 of 23.
Untitled Painting by Rene Alvarez
Slide 2 of 23.
Hard Carved Mask by Louis David Valenzuela
Slide 3 of 23.
Searching by Marcelino Flores
Slide 4 of 23.
Wichilakas by Rene Alvarez
Slide 5 of 23.
Deer Head Man by Jose Gonzales
Slide 6 of 23.
Semalulu Kuts by Rene Alvarez
Slide 7 of 23.
Bird Dancer by Jose Gonzales
Slide 8 of 23.
Deer Sunset by Marcelino Flores
Slide 9 of 23.
Hand Carved Pascola Mask by Louis David Valenzuela
Slide 10 of 23.
TukaAnia VIII by Marcelino Flores
Slide 11 of 23.
Deer Dancer by Jose Gonzales
Slide 12 of 23.
Saquaro Mosaic by Marcelino Flores
Slide 13 of 23.
Multiple Wood Carvings by Louis David Valenzuela
Slide 14 of 23.
MaalaHuupa (MotherTree) by Marcelino Flores
Slide 15 of 23.
Paper Mache Deer Head by Jose Gonzales
Slide 16 of 23.
Hand Made Flowers in Valenzuela Carving
Slide 17 of 23.
Yoeme Children Coloring Flowers
Slide 18 of 23.
Wall of Hand Made Flowers by Yoeme Youth Group
Slide 19 of 23.
Flower Tree by Yoeme Youth Group
Slide 20 of 23.
Hand Embroidered Dress by Rio Yaqui Women
Slide 21 of 23.
Embroidered Flowers by Rio Yaqui Women
Slide 22 of 23.
Hand Embroidered Flowers by Rio Yaqui Women
Slide 23 of 23.
Hand Embroidered Flowers by Rio Yaqui Women

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