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Beadwork mask, 'The Sun's Power'

Rigoberto Sotero shares the secrets of Huichol spirituality with this colorful and expressive mask. The forehead is bright with the presence of the sun, a symbol of power and regarded as the Huichol people's father. The arrowhead on the nose denotes the shaman's presence and the cornstalks on the cheeks symbolize health and prosperity. Sotero has decorated the chin with jicurí, the peyote flower deemed sacred symbolizing life and success. It is surrounded by the heads of two deer, believed to be the messengers of the gods.

Sotero crafts this original mask by hand, carefully affixing each chaquira bead on the copalillo wood mask. He prepares his own adhesive using bee's wax, therefore it is important not to place the mask under direct sunlight or next to a source of heat.