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JOE CAJERO

“Maiden of the Spring”

28” H x 12” W x 13” D  |   Limited to 15 editions
Order through our Purchasing page or Email Joe

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“Maiden of the Spring”

This maiden represents the feminine Spirit that takes care of all living beings, plants and animals. The design on the shawl has spiritual significance in my Pueblo culture. The two-tiered step design (shiny bronze) represent kiva altar steps. The triangular shapes pointing downward are the feathers we offer in prayer, one on top of the other symbolizing the prayers of the people. The clouds above each tier are the blessings received when we pray for rain, moisture, abundant rivers and healthy run-offs that will nurture all living things. On her backside, the shawl turns into the ground, Mother Earth. From the earth grows a nectar rich flower, flanked by two hummingbirds.

As you turn her, the ground surface turns back into the shawl. I wanted her to embody the idea of continuation, the cycle of life. The design on her left arm extends outward symbolizing falling rain, often seen as isolated showers moving through the lands of the Southwest. The three step altar design on the inside of her left arm in the middle represent the people’s prayer for rain. The textured area on the inside of the shawl, as well as within the feathers, clouds and hummingbirds is my attempt to capture the energy and atmosphere of love that I imagine exists within the spirit world.

The patina I selected for the back of the shawl are beautiful warm colors of the Spring. The patina is darker at the base and lighter at the top with a blue sky where the hummingbirds fly. Her tablita (the headdresses women wear during our corn dances) is turquoise blue to represent the color of the sky, with red altar steps on both sides and a rain cloud in the center. Finally, I gave her a slight smile and placed a hummingbird on her finger to show the gentle spirit of the Maiden of the Spring.

Joe Cajero