From wikipedia: Mardi Gras Indians are African-American Carnival revelers in New Orleans, Louisiana, who dress up for Mardi Gras in suits influenced by Native American ceremonial apparel.

The Mantastic Craft of the Year Award goes to (im my opinion) to the Mardi Gras Indians of New Orleans for their beautifully creative creations done yearly, sewn by hand – no glue gun! They devote many hours to intricate handiwork sewing beads, feathers and sequins to canvas foundations. There are three costumes – the big chief, the flag boy and the spy boy. They each have their own song, and they parade throughout the neighborhood in search of other Mardi Gras Indians, all during St. Joseph’s Day.

As a musician and artist, I became a fan after watching the HBO series, Treme. It inspired me to check out the music, watch all the episodes – hey, let’s all meet in New Orleans next year!

Anyway, their elaborate costumes inspired me to make some Aztec sculptures. There are so many similarities to the costumes, I couldn’t resist!