A Part of this World Series Artist Statement
Returning from my journey around the world to bury the paintings of the Re-Membering the Primates series I found myself struck by the stark contrasts between my culture and that of indigenous people.
While in the jungles I was privileged to live briefly with the indigenous tribes who buried the paintings with me: the Dayak of Borneo, the Antandroy of Madagascar, and the Bakweri of Cameroon. They shared their lives which is their art. Their sacred sites were filled with paintings and sculptures.
As a westerner I had been taught to recognize mythological animals as folklore. For these primal people, mythical animals were actual living animals with magical powers that had been hunted to extinction by humans because of those powers.
In all three tribes physically and mentally challenged children and adults are particularly honored members of the community. They are seen as powerful and imbued with special talents. The paintings of this series are dedicated to those children and animals.
While in the jungles I was privileged to live briefly with the indigenous tribes who buried the paintings with me: the Dayak of Borneo, the Antandroy of Madagascar, and the Bakweri of Cameroon. They shared their lives which is their art. Their sacred sites were filled with paintings and sculptures.
As a westerner I had been taught to recognize mythological animals as folklore. For these primal people, mythical animals were actual living animals with magical powers that had been hunted to extinction by humans because of those powers.
In all three tribes physically and mentally challenged children and adults are particularly honored members of the community. They are seen as powerful and imbued with special talents. The paintings of this series are dedicated to those children and animals.
Sally Linder
2001
2001