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José Benitez Sanchez

About the Artist

Huichol Artist/Shaman José Benitez Sanchez from Mythic Visions: Yarn Paintings of a Huichol Shaman courtesy of the University of Pennsylvania's Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
Huichol Artist/Shaman José Benitez Sanchez from Mythic Visions: Yarn Paintings of a Huichol Shaman courtesy of the University of Pennsylvania's Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
Huichol Artist/Shaman José Benitez Sanchez (photo courtesy of Enrique Peraza).
Huichol Artist/Shaman José Benitez Sanchez (photo courtesy of Enrique Peraza).
Huichol Artist/Shaman José Benitez Sanchez
Huichol Artist/Shaman José Benitez Sanchez

Benitez was the subject of Mythic Visions: Yarn Paintings of a Huichol Shaman, the dazzling 2003 exhibit at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. The paintings reflect the visions of Huichol shamans - Huichol history and mythology and especially the peyote-inspired visions through which they believe they can communicate with the deities to heal themselves and their world. At Indigo Arts we have featured the work of José Benitez Sanchez and other Huichol artists for many years. In October and November 2005, Indigo Arts showcased this work with the exhibition Visions to Heal the World ).

José Benitez Sanchez was born in 1938 in the settlement of San Pablo, where his father was a famous mara’akáme or shaman.  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 the 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. 

Region:
The Sacred paths of the First World
SKU: JBS-2301

Nayarit, Mexico, c. 2000
Yarn pressed into beeswax on plywood
(24" x 24").

Provenance:  private collection, Arizona.
 

$4900

Visions of a Huichol Shaman

Peter T. Furst
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia, 2003, 2007
107 pages

This excellent book was published in conjunction with the University of Pennsylvania Museum exhibit Mythic Visions: Yarn Paintings of a Huichol Shaman. It focuses on the work of José Benitez Sanchez, with a good introduction to Huichol culture and art as well.

 

Artists Included: 
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$24.95 (paperback)
Jose Benitez Sanchez
SKU: JBS33

Nayarit, Mexico, c. 2008
Yarn pressed into beeswax on plywood
(24" x 24")

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Jose Benitez Sanchez
SKU: JBS34

Nayarit, Mexico, c. 2008
Yarn pressed into beeswax on plywood
(24" x 24")

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Peyote
SKU: JBS26

Huichol yarn painting by
Jose Benitez Sanchez,
Nayarit, Mexico, c. 2007
Yarn pressed into beeswax on plywood
(12" x 12")

$375

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Arte Huichol (Huichol Art)

Artes de Mexico Numero 75
Text in Spanish with complete English translation.
Edited by Johannes Neurath with essays by Margarita de Orellana Johannes Neurath, Tutkila, Olivia Kindl, Guadalupe Gonzalez Rios, Juan Rios Martinez, Juan Negrin F., Jose Benitez Sanchez and others.
Published by Artes de Mexico, Mexico City , 2005
116 pages

Artists Included: 
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$36 (softcover)
The Energy of the Gods
SKU: JBS-9501

Huichol yarn painting by
Jose Benitez Sanchez,
Nayarit, Mexico, c. 1995
Yarn pressed into beeswax on plywood
(24" x 24")

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The Deer God
SKU: JBS-0504

Huichol yarn painting by
Jose Benitez Sanchez,
Nayarit, Mexico, c. 2000
Yarn pressed into beeswax on plywood
(12" x 12")

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The Gods Come from the First World
SKU: JBS-0511

Huichol yarn painting by
José Benitez Sanchez,
Nayarit, Mexico, c. 2004
Yarn pressed into beeswax on plywood
(48" x 48")

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Journey of Knowledge in the First World
SKU: JBS-1602

Comunidad Indigena de Zitakua, Nayarit, Mexico, c. 1995
Yarn pressed into beeswax on plywood, with wood frame
(Round, 48" x 48" , 122cm x 122cm).  Framed dimensions:  50" x 50".  

Provenance:  Current owner purchased c.1995 from First Peoples Gallery in Silverthorne, Colorado.

The text written on the back of the painting has been loosely translated as follows:
"The Gods insure us in this world of the beginning that we must first understand the first world and the journey in the first world before entering the next three worlds. The Sacred Deer will lead the Shamans on their visionary pathway to teach and gain knowledge.  On this journey of learning, the Gods and the Shamans will teach us the meaning of Knowledge and will show us the door to enter the next world.  In this first world represented by this round painting using the colors of symbology and the signs to teach the viewer that the journey starts and ends with the Sacred Deer and the Guides and Shamans teaching us, as we travel on this mountainous journey.  The Scorpion helps the Shaman to repel evil and bad luck that may come his way during this journey.  On this journey the Gods teach power, visions, enlightenment to the people."

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The Creator of the World
SKU: JBS-1801

Comunidad Indigena de Zitakua, Nayarit, Mexico, c.2000.
Yarn pressed into beeswax on plywood, with wood frame on back
(24" x 24" , 61cm x 61cm).   Signed on back by artist in Spanish and Huichol, with written description in rather difficult to follow Spanish.  Current owner purchased in Puerto Vallarta from Roberto Flores, c. 2000.

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La Casa del Mundo - 'nierika' yarn painting
SKU: JBS-2001

Comunidad Indigena de Zitakua, Nayarit, Mexico, c.2000.
Yarn pressed into beeswax on plywood, with wood frame on back
(24" x 24" , 61cm x 61cm).   Signed on back by artist in Spanish and Huichol, with written description in rather difficult to follow Spanish.  Current owner purchased at a gallery in Santa Fe, NM, c. 2000.

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The Gods' Meeting in the Desert - Yarn Painting
SKU: JBS-1601

Comunidad Indigena de Zitakua, Nayarit, Mexico, c. 1990
Yarn pressed into beeswax on plywood.  Custom museum framing in plexiglass box. 
(23 1/2" x 31 1/2" , 60cm x 80cm).  Framed dimensions:  30 1/2" x 38" x 2 1/4".  

Provenance:  Current owner purchased c.1994 from Mark Lang, the collector who provided the 31 José Benitez Sanchez paintings now in the collection of the University of Pennsylvania Museum, documented in the book Visions of a Huichol Shaman by Dr. Peter Furst (2003).  It was purchased from artist in approximately 1990.

The text written on the back of the painting has been translated as follows:
"The Gods are going to have a meeting in the desert where the life of all Gods are.  This is the way that we know them and the fire God is the Grandfather of the world and the Goddess is the founder of the world.  The gods are going to have a meeting to get the name of God Tuamurravi, the Grandfather God of the First World where the flood for the first time it's been walking taking all of thoughts and the seed to rise where discover the land during six years and for this get the life for everybody."

 

 

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The Gods Give Life to the Sacred Places of the Earth
SKU: JBS-08

Huichol yarn painting by
Jose Benitez Sanchez,
Nayarit, Mexico, c. 2000
Yarn pressed into beeswax on plywood
(24" x 24")

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Asking for the Rain
SKU: JBS-9502

Huichol yarn painting by
Jose Benitez Sanchez,
Nayarit, Mexico, c. 1995
Yarn pressed into beeswax on plywood
(16" x 16")

Price on Request

Product Status: 
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