London-based social enterprise Migrate Art organized an art exhibition featuring works created using ink, pigment and pastels manufactured from ash and charcoal created by fires in the Amazon Rainforest. It included pieces by 29 Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists, as well as by Migrate Art founder Simon Butler, who contributed this painting, "Kamo" (2023), of an Indigenous village shaman.
London-based social enterprise Migrate Art organized an art exhibition featuring works created using ink, pigment and pastels manufactured from ash and charcoal created by fires in the Amazon Rainforest. It included pieces by 29 Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists, as well as by Migrate Art founder Simon Butler, who contributed this painting, "Kamo" (2023), of an Indigenous village shaman.
Simon Butler, Courtesy of Migrate Art and Christie's
The pieces will be auctioned in March at Christie's in London. Butler says estimates for individual pieces range from £2,000 ($2,530) to over £50,000 ($63,440), with 80% of the proceeds going to Indigenous communities. This work by Sarah Ball is of a Xingu screech owl, a species found only in the Indigenous Xingu region of Brazil. <em>"Megascops stangiae" (2023).</em>
The pieces will be auctioned in March at Christie's in London. Butler says estimates for individual pieces range from £2,000 ($2,530) to over £50,000 ($63,440), with 80% of the proceeds going to Indigenous communities. This work by Sarah Ball is of a Xingu screech owl, a species found only in the Indigenous Xingu region of Brazil. "Megascops stangiae" (2023).
Sarah Ball, Courtesy of Migrate Art and Christie's
Money raised from the auction will help reforestation efforts and enable Indigenous communities to buy firefighting equipment. Takumã Kuikuro, an Indigenous filmmaker and curator, says the money will help them "take care of what belongs to everyone - our planet." <em>"Smoke In The Jungle" (2023).</em>
Money raised from the auction will help reforestation efforts and enable Indigenous communities to buy firefighting equipment. Takumã Kuikuro, an Indigenous filmmaker and curator, says the money will help them "take care of what belongs to everyone - our planet." "Smoke In The Jungle" (2023).
Piers Secunda, Courtesy of Migrate Art and Christie's
In 2022, Butler visited the Amazon Rainforest and the Indigenous communities that live there, including the Xingu People shown here. They say climate change is causing extreme heat and drought which threaten their food crops such as cassava.
In 2022, Butler visited the Amazon Rainforest and the Indigenous communities that live there, including the Xingu People shown here. They say climate change is causing extreme heat and drought which threaten their food crops such as cassava.
Courtesy of Migrate Art
Participating artists were each given a kit of paints, ash, pastels, pigments and charcoal to create their artwork. The idea to use the charred remains of the Amazon rainforest was inspired by previous Migrate Art exhibitions, including "Scorched Earth," which featured art made from the ash of war zones in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Participating artists were each given a kit of paints, ash, pastels, pigments and charcoal to create their artwork. The idea to use the charred remains of the Amazon rainforest was inspired by previous Migrate Art exhibitions, including "Scorched Earth," which featured art made from the ash of war zones in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Image from Topepeweke Village, Courtesy of Migrate Art
Participating artist Aislan Pankararu, whose "From the Ashes" artwork is shown here, was originally from the Pankararu indigenous territory in Northeast Brazil. He creates art as a means to pay homage to and celebrate his ancestry. <em>"Encouter of White Clay With Genipapo" (2023).</em>
Participating artist Aislan Pankararu, whose "From the Ashes" artwork is shown here, was originally from the Pankararu indigenous territory in Northeast Brazil. He creates art as a means to pay homage to and celebrate his ancestry. "Encouter of White Clay With Genipapo" (2023).
Aislan Pankararu, Courtesy of Migrate Art and Christie's
Piratá Waurá, an Indigenous Wauja filmmaker, photographer, teacher and researcher says Indigenous communities are afraid that life as they know it will end. "The forest and rivers are sick, as are the animals, birds and fish that have been inhabiting this land in total harmony with nature ... Art can guarantee our existence and our traditional way of living," he said. <em>'Pink Cliffs' (2023). </em>
Piratá Waurá, an Indigenous Wauja filmmaker, photographer, teacher and researcher says Indigenous communities are afraid that life as they know it will end. "The forest and rivers are sick, as are the animals, birds and fish that have been inhabiting this land in total harmony with nature ... Art can guarantee our existence and our traditional way of living," he said. 'Pink Cliffs' (2023).
Alfie Caine, Courtesy of Migrate Art and Christie's
The exhibition, at the Truman Brewery in London, also featured items made by Indigenous artisans, including this wooden toucan, bowls and snakes from the Wauja community in Ulupuwene Village.
The exhibition, at the Truman Brewery in London, also featured items made by Indigenous artisans, including this wooden toucan, bowls and snakes from the Wauja community in Ulupuwene Village.
Courtesy of Migrate Art
"To see art without any kind of influence from the market for financial reasons is amazing," said Butler. "It's pure storytelling." <em>"Breath" (2023)</em>
"To see art without any kind of influence from the market for financial reasons is amazing," said Butler. "It's pure storytelling." "Breath" (2023)
Mary Mattingly, Courtesy of Migrate Art and Christie's