“Nature:Healing:Human” is an ongoing exploration of the human connection to the natural world and the part nature plays in the healing process. The works are interpretations of learning from cultures that maintain deep connections and reverence for nature and how these connections reflect health, self-reliance, ritual, and language.

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Fermin Murayani Aquilar is 75 years old and has been a practicing shaman since he was 16. He is a herbalist as well as a vaporadora. He lives in Comunidad Serjalillo Fundo Sireno Delfin in the Peruvian rainforest. He is Ashaninca and Cocama Cacamilla. Most of the healings take place in the evenings when the spirits of the rainfores are strongest. Here a family from a surrounding community has come to live with him for several days while he works with the father of the family who has pain in his stomach. Senor Fermin will massage him and sing healing songs throughout the evening.
In the community Francisco Tzinquiato there is a young 11 year old Vaporadora girl named Mircyla Prado Pintallo. She learned the trade at 9 from an elder Vaporadora. The Ashaninica people of the Peruivan rainforest are the only tribe to use vapor to heal. Many Vaporadora are also herbalists and have knowledge of which plants to use for specific aliments. Mircyla is still learning the plants but she one specific plant for healing that she puts in the water when is it heated called Pidi Pidi (check spelling) The process takes place by heating rocks to heat the water, collecting herbs and having the patient stand over the heat. This usually takes place three times and then the leaves are read to see what the problems are or if they have been relieved.

Erika Larsen

Erika Larsen is a photographer and multidisciplinary storyteller known for her essays, which document cultures that maintain close ties with nature.

Her work has been included in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, National Geographic Society, Fotografiska Museum and Ajtte Sámi Museum. Larsen is a recipient of several grants and fellowships including a Fulbright Fellowship, New Jersey State Arts Council Fellowship, Women in Photography Individual Project Grant, Lois Roth Endowment and a World Press Award.

Her first monograph, “Sami-Walking With Reindeer”, was released in 2013. Larsen is currently a Fellow and Explorer with National Geographic Society.