At the Appleton – Visionary Artwork of Pablo Amaringo & His Students

The Appleton Museum of Art with guest curator Scott Olsen, Ph.D., present “Mysteries of the Amazon: Visionary Artwork of Pablo Amaringo and His Students.”

 On view Sept. 22, 2017-Jan. 14, 2018, this exhibition features approximately 95 paintings by Peruvian artist Pablo Amaringo and his students from Olsen’s private collection.

Completed 2001-2016, the large-scale, acrylic paintings are considered to be some of the best examples of Mestizo vegetalista and ayahuasquero shamanism gathered in one place. Exhibiting brilliant use of color, the paintings depict the plant, animal and angelic spirits encountered in deep ceremonial visionary experiences. In addition, groupings of Peruvian ethnographic objects let the viewer further experience these unique cultural groups.

Sixty additional works by Amaringo and his students, also from Olsen’s collection, will be on display at the College of Central Florida’s Webber Gallery, Sept. 14-Oct. 20.

“The Indigenous Shamanic path may well be humanity’s most ancient spiritual tradition,” said Olsen. “It has proven to be a powerful method for the transformation of consciousness. Not unlike the reports from near-death experiencers and initiates of the various mystery schools, participants have often experienced deep empathic connection with nature’s plants and animals – in fact, all living beings – including profound insights into the underlying patterns and mathematical structure of the cosmos. ‘Mysteries of the Amazon’ is intended to assist Indigenous Shamanism to achieve its rightful recognition as one of the world’s great Wisdom Traditions.”

Exhibition Events at the Appleton Include:

Opening Celebration Friday, Sept. 22, 6-8 p.m.

Guests Luis Eduardo Luna, Tito La Rosa, Matthew Pallamary, Aryel Sanat, Mohamed El Naschie, and guest curator Scott Olsen, will make opening remarks. Enjoy wine, small bites and a short performance by Tito La Rosa. Appleton Director’s Circle members are invited at 5 p.m. for a meet-and-greet with the special guests. RSVP required to Colleen Harper, harperc@cf.edu or 352-291-4455, ext. 1831.

Saturday, Sept. 23, 1-4 p.m.

Anthropologist Luis Eduardo Luna will give a presentation on the co-founding with Pablo Amaringo of the Usko-Ayar: Amazonian School of Painting, followed by a presentation and musical performance by Tito La Rosa, world expert on pre-Columbian musical instruments.

Sunday, Oct. 1, 2-3:30 p.m.

Matthew Pallamary will give a talk, “Peruvian Shamanism,” accompanied by a short drumming performance.

Saturday, Oct. 7, 1-3 p.m.

Join us for First Saturday with a painting demonstration and Peruvian music for families by Alfredo Zagaceta, Mauro Reategui, Mita Lozano and William Llerena.

Sunday, Oct. 8, 2-4 p.m.

Painting demonstration by Alfredo Zagaceta, Mauro Reategui and Mita Lozano, accompanied by musician William Llerena.

Thursday, Nov. 16, 6-7:30 p.m.

Guest curator Scott Olsen, Ph.D., will give a talk, “What I Learned in the Amazon Rainforest.”

Sunday, Dec. 3, 2-3:30 p.m.

Guest curator Scott Olsen, Ph.D., will give a talk, “Ancient Wisdom and the Golden Ratio.”

Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018, 5-8 p.m.

A musical performance by Tribe of Love, including organizer Susanna Raven with Maryn Azoff and Jan Paul Werge.

For more information, contact AppletonMuseum@cf.edu. For a full listing of on- and off-site events, please visit AppletonMuseum.org/exhibits/Special/mysteries.html.