Easter 2022

Zuni rabbit fetish carvings by Sedrick Banteah, Gordon Poncho and Rick Quam

Happy Easter!

To celebrate the Easter break we wanted to share with you a few of the enchanting fetish carvings that you can find here in the gallery and on our website. I have added new pieces over the last week or two, so treat yourself to a an Easter

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Zuni Fetishes

are animal carvings that have been used by the A:Shiwi (The People) for over a thousand years. They have their roots in the emergence myths or origin stories of the tribe. Originally fetishes were found objects that resembled animals and were then adorned with offerings or medicine bundles for protection. These natural forms were enhanced to emphasise the appearance of the animal spirit within. This practice developed into a carving tradition of beautiful, characterful, ritual objects.

The carving of a fetish is a way of honouring and calling upon the animal spirit for assistance. By honouring the animals and acknowledging their special "medicine" or natural gifts, we can recognise these attributes within ourselves. When wearing or carrying a fetish or placing it in our homes, we can focus on animal like qualities that we have or would like to develop. 

RABBIT (Okshik'o) is small and defenceless and depends on its reflexes and keen senses for survival. Rabbit reminds us to acknowledge our fears, for if we do not, they can paralyse and dictate our behaviour. Rabbit represents gentleness, serenity and virtue.

'WAKEAH' by Cara Romero (Chemehuevi)

Cara Romero

On April 12th fine art photographer Cara Romero attended the opening reception of 'Our Selves: Photographs by Women Artists from Helen Kornblum' at MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) New York. Cara, accompanied by friends and family, was there to see her monumental photographic portrait 'WAKEAH' exhibited prominently in an important exhibition exploring photography as a tool of resistance. Her inclusion is a milestone for Cara as an artist whose greatness has rightly been recognised by this National Institution. Moreover, it is a crucial shift for all Indigenous artists who have too often been over-looked or disregarded by the mainstream art establishment.This year MoMA, The Met (The Metropolitan Museum of Art) and The Whitney Museum of American Art are all including Native artists prominently in exhibitions and avidly commissioning and acquiring works for their permanent collections. What took them so long? Here at Rainmaker we have been championing Native artist for over thirty years and it is a joy to see Cara and others at last getting the recognition that they deserve. I am beyond proud that Rainmaker Gallery is currently exhibiting 'WAKEAH' in our spring exhibition concurrent with the MoMa exhibition.

Closer to home

Rainmaker Gallery will be closed over the Easter weekend but I can wholeheartedly recommend a trip to the American Museum & Gardens in Bath. They have the most wonderful exhibition 'Dress to Redress: Exploring Native American Material Culture' by Anishinabe artist Celeste Pedri-Spade.Wishing you all a peaceful and magical Easter break.With love,Jo xx