There are many who believe that the jungle has medicine for the whole world.
Whether it is the immense wealth of medicinal plants, its powerful ability to sequester carbon from our atmosphere, its biodiversity of plants and animals, or a spiritual destination where travellers reconnect with the divine in nature, the Amazon is a global treasure filled with inspiration.
This wisdom is conveyed in explosive colour with sublime representations of real and other-worldly creatures in the artwork of Luis Tamani.
Luis’s paintings are an encyclopaedia of mystical wisdom – incorporating plants, spiritual deities, and swirling energies in a rich, lush jungle-scape full of waterfalls, colourful birds, and elders in ceremony allows the viewer to step into another world. Tamani studied Art at the Eduardo Meza Saravia Escuela Superior de Formación Artística located in his native city of Pucallpa. Meza was one of the great proponents of neoamazónico, figurative, surreal and shamanic styles of painting. During five years of attendance, Luis received both rigorous academic training and training in the techniques of the master after whom the school is named, including synthesising reality through metaphor and symbols on the canvas.
Luis is also influenced by the sacred ceremonies and medicinal plants of the jungle – by merging his own visions with art, he is able to show the interconnectedness between humans, plants, and animals.
He also brings reverence to the deep cultural traditions that have been preserved in the shamanic traditions of the region. Luis and his art play a shamanic role in modern society, awakening us all to the divine by invoking wonder.
Somara Shamanic Medicine Forum is hosting Peruvian artist Luis Tamani over 2–7 February at Starseed Gardens, Byron Bay.
Attendees of Somara 2016 will have a rare opportunity to see Luis Tamani paint live and can participate in an exclusive three-day arts intensive over February 2–5. Places are limited. Visit somara.org/tickets to book tickets. Follow Somara on facebook.com/somara.org to receive live updates.
