If you ask the Mardi Gras Indian where the ideas for his patch designs come from, you’ll get some kind of vague and not too informative answer: “It just comes from in my head.” But, if the Indian likes you and he trusts you, he’ll tell you about his dream or his vision. It may sound something like this: “I saw myself walking down the street. My family was all around me. My friends were there. My gang was strong. We were on fire! It was a beautiful day - not to cold, just cool. A breeze was blowing the leaves around in the trees and the early flowers were just poppin’ out. I saw a blue jay; then a cardinal; then I saw all the birds just flying around and singing purely sweet songs. This suit is a suit of peace and harmony with our world. It says what we should be doing to protect what we have.” He’s creating this suit to say that. And only he has the power to express that vision. He does it in the Mardi Gras Indian way - he sews. It’s his power and his power alone. It’s the power of his needle and thread.
All photos are available for purchase as Archival Ink Jet prints.
