Earth Bundle
Gerald Dawavendewa (Hopi & Cherokee)
In 1994 Space Shuttle Endeavour carried a special memento from a NASA Astronaut. Artwork on buckskin depicting the cosmos. The center shows the sun - Taawa. Above are symbols of the Earth and below the moon. Radiating from the sun are markings representing the Milky Way, stars, and corn plants which symbolize the four directions. All encompassed by a rainbow - a sign of life-giving moisture. With the Earth, Bundle was a Paaho, a prayer feather for the blessings for the Astronaut's journey. Also included were Navajo stone fetishes, and a Tohono O'odham spiritual healer blessed the whole bundle.
Acid-free photo paper is used to print the artwork, and smudge-, fade-, and water-resistant inks ensure a lasting print. The 11x14 inch (27.9x35.5 cm) matted print includes a bevel-cut matte, backing board, description, artist biography, and cultural details. An envelope safeguards the print, and matted print will fit a standard frame; image of framed print is included to show possibilities, frame is not included.