El Interior Newsletter
1009 West Lynn,
Austin (512) 474-8680
www.elinterior.com
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November
2007 |
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In This Issue:
- What's
New In The Store
- Artist
Spotlight: Guillermina Aguilar
- Collector's Corner Featuring
Sylvia Guyton
-
November Sale
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Upcoming Events
- November 30 -
December 2nd, We will be
participating in Hecho a Mano
(Made by Hand), A Fine Arts and Crafts
Market at the Guadalupe Galeria in San
Antonio, TX (210) 271-3151
www.guadalupeculturalarts.org
- Wednesday,
December 12, 2007, is a day
dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe.
This Mexican madonna is an example of
the way in which ancient native female
deities survived and were transformed
through Catholicism and other
superimposed religions. She appeared in
a vision to the peasant Juan Diego as he
was on his way to mass in 1521, two
years after the Spanish conquest.
Through a miracle, he was able to
convince the archbishop to fill her
request, which was to build a shrine to
her on the hillside where she appeared -
the very site of an ancient temple
dedicated to the mother of the gods,
Tonantzin. She lives, say the Mexicans,
in each of their hearts, and is often
represented in their private altars. In
December of each year, there is a huge
pilgrimage to her shrine, where people
pay homage and ask for healing miracles.
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Marcia's Minute
For those of you here in Texas who may tire of a
Christmas season that begins soon after
Halloween and ends on Christmas Day, just
consider the Mexican Christmas calendar. It
begins with the feast day of the brown Virgin of
Guadalupe—the spiritual queen (Reina) of
indigenous Mexicans and Empress of the Americas
to others—on December 12, when pilgrimages to
the Basilica in Mexico City are a national
aspiration and her image is honored in homes and
churches all over Mexico.
During the following days (December 16-24), Mary
and Joseph’s search for lodging—Las Posadas—is
re-enacted nightly with food, drink, singing,
and a blindfolded children cracking open a piņata
filled with candy and goodies. The celebration
culminates on December 24, La Noche Buena, when
complicated and often enormous nativity scenes
are erected in homes and businesses, and it is not
until after midnight that the baby Jesus is
placed in the manger. Besides the traditional
Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and shepherds, nativity
scenes (nacimientos) often include arboles de la
vida (trees of life), monkeys, scenes of Adam
and Eve and mermaids, which are considered
Goddesses of Fertility, and a harbinger of good
rains in some indigenous cosmographies. All
human activities of life might be depicted in
the nativity scene.
CLICK HERE TO READ
THE REST OF 'CHRISTMAS IN MEXICO' BY MARCIA
LUCAS |
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What's New In The Store
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We have a wonderful selection of new items in from
Mexico, just in time to perk up your holiday
shopping! Lots of unique items for the special
people in your life, and don't forget yourself! We
have a great selection of jackets and vests from
Santa Fe designer Karen Wilkinson, and a
great selection of many other wonderfully festive
clothing items for the holidays.
CLICK HERE TO SEE NEW ITEMS
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November Artist Spotlight: Guillermina Aguilar |
Guillermina Aguilar,
the eldest of the four famous Aguilar sisters from
Oaxaca, is an artist who creates highly inspired
pottery figures. We have just gotten in a fantastic
new selection of her wonderful pieces, everything
from large Frida Kahlos to detailed figures who
engage in every facet of daily life.
CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT GUILLERMINA AGUILAR & SEE
HER WORK |
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Collector's Corner |
Featuring Sylvia Guyton
Sylvia Guyton is a collector who
has integrated her wonderful assortment of art
pieces from all over the world
into her home. Exuding playfulness and whimsy,
her pieces inject personality into every facet
of her personal spaces. Click below to take a
look!
CLICK HERE TO SEE COLLECTION |
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Monthly Drawing!
Each month we will be holding a
drawing for our email subscribers for a $50
gift certificate, so watch for it - next
month you might see your name!
This month's winner is
Andrea Prestridge
Do you know someone who loves
folk art? Email
amy@elinterior.com & we'll send them a copy of
this email and enter them into the drawing!
As a bonus, you'll also get your name entered twice
in next month's drawing! |
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 November's
Special
GUATAMALAN
HUIPILES
Mention that you're a
newsletter subscriber and receive
15% off
Guatamalan Huipiles:
These huipiles have incredible detail and are very
special! Now through December 10th.
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El Interior Mailbag
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What does the Iguana signify?
I see it used in folk art a lot. Mary
Thank you for your
question Mary. We do see the Iguana, or Lizard, used
in folk art a lot, and it can mean several different
things, as different traditions give the lizard
different meanings.
Lizards' sun-seeking habit
often symbolizes the soul's search for awareness in
many cultures. To the ancient Romans, who believed
that the lizard hibernated, lizards represented
death and resurrection. However, the lizard can also
represent personal attributes, such as patience,
wisdom and stealth. To the ancient Greeks and
Egyptians, the lizard represented divine wisdom and
good fortune.
Often the significance of
something depicted in folk art draws on a variety of
traditions. Through the ages, our different cultures
have melded to an extent, giving such rich and
beautiful symbolic meanings to ordinary things, such
as the lizard.
Here is what I put together as a small ofrenda
for our deceased parents. I did the skulls (reverse
paintings on glass) three or so years ago, then
decided to go ahead with a few more altar elements -
which keeps growing in scope each year. All part of
the fun. It is always inspiring for me to see what
serious collectors are up to.
Deb Wilson
 Thank
you so much for the pictures Deb! We love to see
these little projects!
Amy |
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Show us your project or
collection! We'd love to feature YOU in an
upcoming issue, so email us a project that you've
done using our textiles, oilcloth, or your folk art
collection, at
amy@elinterior.com.
Also, we'd love to get your
comments or questions, so submit them to the
El Interior Mailbag to be featured in future
issues of our newsletters! |
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