Uki
2024. Bamboo, palm fronds, cotton, acrylic, hot-melt adhesive. Custom walnut handle made by Keith Eckmayer.
Uki
2024. Bamboo, palm fronds, cotton, acrylic, hot-melt adhesive. Custom walnut handle made by Keith Eckmayer.
“Uki” is homage to Tatei Niwetzika, the Maize Mother, revered by the Huichol people of Jalisco, Mexico. This kite, meticulously fashioned to resembl a being made of maize husks and palm, with a blue spot, pointing to the blue maize core. As an object, Uki serves as a tangible embodiment of the spiritual and cultural significance of maize in tradition.
The perpetual cycle of life is symbolized by Tatei Niwetzika’s role as the giver of sustenance and renewal. Even in her name, Tatei is mother and Niwe is child. The fuller front end, adorned with a central blue circle, speaks to the abundance and nurturing essence of Tatei, while the wispy gestures of blue in the tail allude to the promise of a bountiful future. The back end of the kite, trailing behind like a child (Niwe), remains connected, symbolizing the eternal bond between the Maize Mother and Child. Though distinct, they are inseparable.
Through the delicate dance of colors and forms, this kite invites viewers to contemplate their own relationship with the natural world and the timeless wisdom embedded within indigenous traditions. As the kite takes flight, may it carry with it the spirit of Tatei Niwetzika, guiding us towards harmony, reciprocity, and reverence for the sacredness of life.
