El Cocodrilo Negro – Artistic offerings from the heart of the Amazon

PressRelease

On behalf of El Cocodrilo Negro I am delighted to introduce myself, Callan Schanz, Gallerist and founder. In 2014, I embarked on an exceptional journey to Peru to study indigenous Shipibo medicine, which marked the beginning of my travels around the country. I discovered their natural world was quite different from that which I have known before and immediately became enamored by their captivating indigenous art. I learned from shamans in the Amazon basin and forged meaningful connections with local artists and artisans who have since become dear friends.

Over the last decade, I have visited many times with the artists down in the Ucayali River region of the Amazon, and worked closely with them to develop their profile, exposure and opportunities, resulting in this 'first' for them in the US. Every time I travel to the Amazon, I feel a certain familiarity, a reawakening of the natural world within. With a deeply respectful understanding of tribal heritage and natural environment, our artists allow for the continuity of generations of artisanal expression with immersive art. Their deep traditions and relationships of 'plant-medicine-teacher' are central to Peruvian tribal heritage and unique artistic expression. Preserving and sharing the wonders of mother nature is what I’d like to share with you.

The five Shipibo-Conibo Indigenous Peruvian Artists whose artwork will be exhibited include: Roldan Pinedo, Miguel Vilca Vargas, Benito Romaina Arevalo, Wilfredo Castro Pina as well as Euclides Ruiz Lopez. The Artists range from self-taught to classically trained in Lima. The mediums range from pencil on board, through acrylic on canvas to natural dye extracts on fabric and bio-luminescent paints on cloth. The artists and their works are living expressions of the ancient, tribal rituals, beliefs and practices that identify them and their communities. Bonded by the deep spiritual connections and vibrations of the Amazonian world they inhabit; I hope you enjoy this journey through the spiritual realms of El Cocodrilo Negro.

We hope you can join us for our upcoming Visionary Shipibo Art Expo; 'Pacha Mama de la Selva.'
Opening reception to be held at the Kingston Pop Museum, 672 Broadway, Kingston, NY, on Friday, September 6th 6:30pm-10pm. The Expo will run through October 12th, 2024.