Body Modification & Painting
Title
Body Modification & Painting
Subject
Woodcuts and Body Decoration
Description
In 1992 artist Laura Anderson Barbata initiated an exchange with the Yanomami tribe in Venezuela. Through this exchange, the Yanomami people taught Barbata their distinctive canoe building technique and in return she taught them hand papermaking.
The Yanomami children traditionally carved printing blocks to serve as body decoration exclusively during ceremonial practices. These prints also served to honor their surroundings, and were often inspired by the shapes of neighboring wildlife such as turtles and birds.
Sarah Hiatt and DW McCraven We incorporated the traditions of Yanomami wood cuts by carving into potatoes to make stamps.
The process is as follows:
Step 1: cut potato in half with butcher’s knife
Step 2: soak extra liquid with towel
Step 3: cut in with peeler and/or x-acto desired design
Step 4: dip stamp into ink and place on paper
Step 5: Let dry for an hour before handling
The Yanomami children traditionally carved printing blocks to serve as body decoration exclusively during ceremonial practices. These prints also served to honor their surroundings, and were often inspired by the shapes of neighboring wildlife such as turtles and birds.
Sarah Hiatt and DW McCraven We incorporated the traditions of Yanomami wood cuts by carving into potatoes to make stamps.
The process is as follows:
Step 1: cut potato in half with butcher’s knife
Step 2: soak extra liquid with towel
Step 3: cut in with peeler and/or x-acto desired design
Step 4: dip stamp into ink and place on paper
Step 5: Let dry for an hour before handling
Creator
DW McCraven & Sarah Hiatt
Source
Among Tender Roots, College Archives & Special Collections, Columbia College Chicago.
Publisher
College Archives & Special Collections, Columbia College Chicago. With Permission from Laura Anderson Barbata.
Rights
All rights remain with the author.
Type
Still Image
Collection Items
Potato Stamps, inspired by Yanomami children woodcuts and block printing
We incorporated the traditions of Yanomami wood cuts by carving into potatoes to make stamps. Potato Stamp Process Supplies: Potatoes
X-acto knife
Potato peeler
Butcher's knife
Ink
Paper
Paper towels
Step 1: cut potato in half horizontally with…
Potato Stamps, inspired by Yanomami children woodcuts and block printing
DW McCraven & Sarah Hiatt, 2017, finished potato stamp images printed on journal paper.