Tears of the Star People

Tears of the Star People, by Malynn Foster: Photo credit: ©Joseph Allen Freeman Jr.
Tears of the Star People, by Malynn Foster

Photo credit: ©Joseph Allen Freeman Jr.

Name/Title

Tears of the Star People

Entry/Object ID

2023.1.63

Description

Wilkeson sandstone boulder decorated with carved petroglyphs of a crying coyote, looking out from the veil of the spirit world, wrapped in a blanket of stars (the stars represent the deceased ancestors' campfires), with smaller ancestral figures with backs to the viewer.

Type of Sculpture

Carving

Artwork Details

Medium

Sandstone

Made/Created

Artist

Malynn Foster

Dimensions

Height

19 in

Width

40 in

Length

50 in

Copyright

Copyright Holder

Malynn Foster

Interpretative Labels

Label

This artwork tells the poignant story of the artist’s son, and of loss and grief: “Coyote, wrapped in a blanket of stars. The mourning mother’s son hears his mom’s prayers for healing and justice. Prayers for change. Tears on his face looking through the veil of the spirit world, saying a prayer for his mom and family. Ancestors behind him wrapped in their blankets of stars talking with the moon. The stars are the campfires of our ancestors, the place where all things begin and where we will all one day return.”

Label

Coyote, wrapped in a blanket of stars. The mourning mother’s son, hears his mom’s prayers for healing and justice. Prayers for change. Tears on his face looking through the veil of the spirit world, saying a prayer for his mom and his family. Ancestors behind him wrapped in their blankets of stars talking with the moon. The stars are the campfires of our ancestors, the place where all things begin and where we will all one day return. Inspired by my handsome son Derrick Wily who was murdered in November of 2020 and all of our missing and murdered.