Painted Prayers: Women's Art in Village India.

New York, NY Rizzoli International Publications, 1994. Hardcover First Edition USA (1994), so stated. No indication of previous international publication. Photo copyrights are dated 1994. First Edition USA (1994), so stated. Very Good in Fine DJ: The Book shows a bit of wear to the bottom lower corner tip and general shelving-wear to the bottom edge of the boards, which are slightly bowed; a small patch of sticker residue at the upper corner of the front free end-paper; the binding leans very slightly while remaining secure; the text is clean. Free of creased or dog-eared pages in the text. Free of underlining, hi-lighting, notations, or marginalia. Free of ownership names, dates, addresses, notations, inscriptions, stamps, or labels. A handsome copy, tightly bound, showing moderate wear and minor imperfections. Not so very far from 'As New'. The DJ is flawless; unclipped; mylar-protected. Virtually 'As New'. NOT a Remainder, Book-Club, or Ex-Library. Squarish 4to. (11.35 x 11.45 x 0.9 inches). 203 pages. Profusely illustrated with 170 full-color photographs by Stephen P. Huyler. Language: English. Weight: 59.1 ounces. Hardback with DJ. It’s a tradition for women across India to produce a little-known, transient form of art on the walls and floors of their houses. In some parts of India, the art is produced weekly or even daily, while in other parts, creations are made only during certain annual festivals. The technique has been handed down from generation to generation. Since one in six women lives in India, this means that at least one-sixth of the world’s female population comprises great, yet undiscovered artists. Their inspiration: communion with their deities, such as Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. The book is highly recommended, both in its exploration of the history of this tradition, as well as the incorporation of modern technology into these techniques. The extraordinary aspect of the art and artists is the ritual way in which these masterpieces are created. The women often cover a whole wall in 15 to 20 minutes with no preliminary sketches – the entire work is conceived and spontaneously produced. Huyler’s photos do this justice, sometimes depicting the arm of a painter as a blur of motion while the artist’s face is a study in meditative concentration. The women’s work goes unsigned in a workaday serenity and modesty – a simple effort to better our world in unsung devotion. Something we could use more of these days.>55669