Faculty of Design

Illustration

Aimee Xiao

Hallucinogenic Vicuña

“Hallucinogenic Vicuña” features a San Pedro cactus sliced open, exposing 14 lagoons naturally arranged in a shape resembling the head of a Vicuña, an animal worshipped by the Inca people of ancient Peru. The lagoons are surrounded by Peruvian Cantua Buxifolia flowers and sacred stones often used in mesada healing ceremonies. The juice of the hallucinogenic cactus, that induces visions, drips down the cactus and is used in these ceremonies performed by Shamans.

“This is a part of my thesis series Unfamiliar Familiars, which imagines and considers the presence and energy of national animals as familiars that assist witches in magic for good and selfless purposes. More illustrations can be viewed on my website!”