A01=Polly Schaafsma
agricultural rituals
ancient desert cosmology
ancient farmer-cosmos dialogue
art in environmental history
Author_Polly Schaafsma
Category=AGA
Category=JHMC
Category=NHTB
Category=NK
Chihuahuan Desert archaeology
connection between art and rain
cosmic
cultural heritage
desert farming
eq_art-fashion-photography
eq_bestseller
eq_history
eq_isMigrated=1
eq_isMigrated=2
eq_new_release
eq_nobargain
eq_non-fiction
eq_society-politics
imagery
Kiva murals
Mimbres-inspired
New Mexico
paintings
petroglyphs
photography
pictographs
place-making
pre-Hispanic
rain-making symbolism in art
richly illustrated
Rio Grande tradition
rock art
Southwest cultural landscapes
visual metaphors
Product details
- ISBN 9781647692308
- Weight: 454g
- Dimensions: 216 x 254mm
- Publication Date: 16 Jan 2026
- Publisher: University of Utah Press,U.S.
- Publication City/Country: US
- Product Form: Hardback
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Explores ancient dialogue between desert farmers and the cosmos
In this visually stunning volume, Polly Schaafsma, leading authority on pre-Hispanic Indian rock imagery and kiva murals of the greater American Southwest, provides an insightful journey into the petroglyphs and rock paintings of the Jornada Mogollon farmers in southern New Mexico's lower Chihuahuan Desert.
Talking to the Rain defines the Rio Grande Tradition, emphasizing the foundational Jornada Style as exemplified by its Mimbres-like imagery as well as its diverse and complex rain-making symbolism. By examining visual metaphors of cosmology and place-making, the book reveals an ancient dialogue between farmers and the cosmos that places rain for crops as its central concern. Exceptional color photographs by FranÇois Gohier invite readers to experience the landscapes and locations selected for creating these images. Both scholarly and accessible, Talking to the Rain offers a fresh perspective on cultural landscapes and the profound connections between people, art, and environment, making it essential for understanding Southwest cultural history.
In this visually stunning volume, Polly Schaafsma, leading authority on pre-Hispanic Indian rock imagery and kiva murals of the greater American Southwest, provides an insightful journey into the petroglyphs and rock paintings of the Jornada Mogollon farmers in southern New Mexico's lower Chihuahuan Desert.
Talking to the Rain defines the Rio Grande Tradition, emphasizing the foundational Jornada Style as exemplified by its Mimbres-like imagery as well as its diverse and complex rain-making symbolism. By examining visual metaphors of cosmology and place-making, the book reveals an ancient dialogue between farmers and the cosmos that places rain for crops as its central concern. Exceptional color photographs by FranÇois Gohier invite readers to experience the landscapes and locations selected for creating these images. Both scholarly and accessible, Talking to the Rain offers a fresh perspective on cultural landscapes and the profound connections between people, art, and environment, making it essential for understanding Southwest cultural history.
Polly Schaafsma is an archaeologist with a specialty in ancient Native American rock art and kiva murals. She has published ten books and monographs as well as numerous journal articles and book chapters. She is the recipient of numerous awards as well as honorary degrees from the University of Colorado and the University of New Mexico.
A professional photographer for the past five decades, FranÇois Gohier was the sole photographer for Steven Simms’ book Traces of Fremont. FranÇois is a member of the American Rock Art Research Association, the Utah Rock Art Research Association, and the San Diego Rock Art Association. In 2015 he was presented with the Oliver Award from the ARARA for “Excellence in the Art & Science of Rock Art Photography.”
A professional photographer for the past five decades, FranÇois Gohier was the sole photographer for Steven Simms’ book Traces of Fremont. FranÇois is a member of the American Rock Art Research Association, the Utah Rock Art Research Association, and the San Diego Rock Art Association. In 2015 he was presented with the Oliver Award from the ARARA for “Excellence in the Art & Science of Rock Art Photography.”
