American Museum of Natural History Presents A:SHIWI A:WAN ULOHNANNE - The ZUNI WORLD, 10/17

A:shiwi A:wan Ulohnanne-The Zuni World, an exhibition of 31 new Zuni map art paintings, opens Thursday, October 17 in the American Museum of Natural History's fourth-floor Audubon Gallery, and will run through January 12, 2014. The exhibition, produced in partnership with the A:shiwi A:wan Museum and Heritage Center in Zuni, New Mexico, also includes videography and a recording of the Zuni "Grand Canyon Song."

The Zunis have always had maps, in songs and prayers, painted on ceramics, and etched in stone. "Indigenous mapping" has become increasingly significant over the last two decades, in order to record and memorialize indigenous knowledge of the landscape. The Zunis, rather than relying on Western cartography, asked artists within their community to paint representations of historically and culturally important places. The paintings are very rich in Zuni references, and many of the images reflect the activities and ideas of the Zuni religious societies, of which most of the artists are initiated members or even leaders.

Admission to the exhibition is free with the suggested admission of $22 for adults, $12.50 for children, and $17 for seniors and students. For tickets, the public should call 212-769-5200 or visit amnh.org.

Photo Credit: © A:shiwi A:wan Museum and Heritage Center

Chris Edaakie, Elves Chasm and Bass, Digital Painting on Canvas, 2010