A shaman is a medicineman, priest, psychiatrist, sorcerer, animal man, witch, counsellor, and has knowledge of the laws of nature and the spirit world. Long before religion existed there were shamen. They were consulted on all terrains of life, they pointed the way and performed rituals. Especially their relationship with animals fascinates me. According to stories, a shaman can understand the language of animals and can change into an animal. He/she can identify so strongly with an animal that he/she behaves like one and has all the characteristics of that specific animal.
Shaman IV (1991)
watercolour and pastel, 45 x 60 cm
© Ester van Zuylen. All rights reserved. Reproduction without
The Shaman Series
written permission from the artist is forbidden.