This is a framed Sunface sandpainting. The sunface is modified and not quite the traditional sunface. Instead of the line cutting the circle in half, Navajo artist Keith Silversmith placed a dancer across the middle of the sunface. The Navajo people believe the universe to be delicately balanced. Only man can upset the balance, causing illness or disaster. When this happens, a medicine man must restore the natural balance. Balance is restored in the universe by healing the offender with chants, herbs, prayers, songs and sandpaintings. This sandpainting is 6"x6" and framed is 10"x10". In one corner of the painting stands the corn Yei, representing the importance of the corn crop. diagonally from the Yei is the water serpant. On the other two corners are cacti. |