Guinea pigs and potatoes sit together in the foreground of this delightful John Dyer painting. The fife players parade under an amazing night sky. Blues and purples form the main colours for this canvas providing the perfect ground for the terraces of crops, the cacti and eucalyptus trees. 

"The islanders celebrate the bounty of the harvest and their farming history over two days in May each year. The festivities revolve around the story of how they became owners of the land they farm and they dance, drink, chew coca leaves and play drum and fife music to celebrate. My visit to the island was timed to catch this colourful festival and the memory I will take from it is the small band of pipers who continued playing into the night as they marched triumphantly through the terraces of potato, quinoa, lupins and broad beans to visit each sponsor’s house. Their music blessed the land as they went and brought good fortune to all. As they played, the spectacle of the southern night sky, Milky Way and the bright Southern Cross sparkled overhead. A very magical and musical experience." John Dyer

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The painting is featured in the book 'Painting the Colours of the World' by Kate Dinn.

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