Isn’t this a beautiful title for an art exhibition?  The Hummingbird Paints Fragrant Songs was a highlight of my visit to The Outsider Art Fair in New York City in January.

The OAF consists of many exhibitors showing art from self-taught artists  (think Howard Greenberg Gallery selling original Vivian Maier photographs) as well as special programming, on and off the main exhibition site.

The Hummingbird Paints Fragrant Songs was one of the featured Curated Spaces. This compact exhibition was curated by Brett Littman  of the Noguchi Museum in partnership with the Shipibo Canibo Center. It consisted of works by Sara Flores and Celia Vasquez Yui, Peruvian artists.

The artists’ process of bringing these works to completion is astonishing. Sara uses natural dyes for the hand drawn works on canvas;  Celia begins her work with shamanistic-like rituals of fasting and abstinence.  All the works are rife with symbolism and patterning specific to their areas of the Amazon.  Please read this brief, but fascinating description of the artists and their work.

The works are exquisitely detailed;  to this viewer they exude a feeling of harmonious energy.

I’m glad I followed the recommendations of others to attend the Outsider Art Fair.  I can now  add the Shipibo Canibo Center to my list of  things to do and see in NYC.  The Noguchi Museum is already on the list.  Next time, I hope.