The Yawanawá people of the Amazon rainforest grace themselves with body paint and animal markings to become one with nature during their Kênê ceremony. This painting is by one of the tribe, Amazon Indian Nixiwaka Yawanawá and provides us with a glimpse into their scared tribal culture. Painted alongside acclaimed artist John Dyer this painting is the start of a new genre of art.

"The Yawanawá people use body painting represented by the Kênê. Since time immemorial, we have used Kênê to celebrate traditional feasts and ceremonies and also within our daily life. When we paint our bodies we are gracing ourselves, staying beautiful and becoming protected from disease. The spirit of the Kênê lady appears in visions during Uni (Ayahuasca) ceremonies. We receive the paintings and practise these among the people of the tribe as a way of learning through the spiritual world." Nixiwaka Yawanawá

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