MEET THE CREATOR
Mato Grosso, Brazil
WAXAMANI MEHINAKO
“My goal is to bring my people’s art to non-indigenous people and show that our art is not only for us. I also want to help pass down our ancestral ways to the next generation.”
Deep in the heart of Brazil's Alto Xingu indigenous territory, Waxamani is an artist bridging the gap between his Mehinako and Aweti roots and the contemporary art world. His paintings burst with vibrant colors and geometric patterns, inspired by the body adornments used in sacred ceremonies.
Waxamani draws his inspiration from the rich natural world around him. He creates his own pigments from the plants and minerals of his land, applying them to canvas with free-flowing strokes. These aren't just paintings; they are stories told in color. Each artwork carries the weight of generations, connecting Waxamani’s heritage to the present day and transforming traditional symbols into contemporary masterpieces.