The Prevalence of Flute Player Imagery Across the American Southwest
By:
Matt Relkin
Date:
Tue, 11/08/2026 - 18:00
Branch:
Western Cape
Cost: Free
As Matt will be tuning in from the United States, this talk will take place online. Please click here to access the Google Form you can use to register for online attendance and get the MS Teams meeting link.
Click here to see Matt's YouTube channel, and click here to see his Instagram page.
About the Talk
My talk will be focused on the prevalence of flute player imagery [in the paintings and petroglyphs] across the American southwest. I’ll discuss the various symbologies behind this classic motif, the commercialisation and misidentification of the Kokopelli character, as well as share many examples of flute player imagery that I’ve documented.
About the Speaker
I was born in Sarasota, Florida, and earned a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from Ringling School of Art & Design. I spent my summers traveling the American southwest shooting landscape photography as reference for my paintings. These desert areas have always been home to ancient rock imagery, and as I began to encounter some sites, I became enthralled with the imagery and history behind it. The more I researched and traveled, the more I discovered how numerous these sites were, and I eventually became obsessed with documenting them. Over the years, I’ve learnt that the majority of the American public is quite misinformed about the great cultural value as well as the extreme vulnerability of our ancient indigenous sites. I’ve come to dedicate myself to helping educate and spread awareness as to the importance and relevance of these places. I’m also working to get more people to understand the concepts of stewardship and proper site etiquette. My primary methods of sharing what I’ve learnt are through my YouTube Channel (@NoLonelyRoads) and my Instagram account (@nolonelyroads).
As Matt will be tuning in from the United States, this talk will take place online. Please click here to access the Google Form you can use to register for online attendance and get the MS Teams meeting link.
Click here to see Matt's YouTube channel, and click here to see his Instagram page.
About the TalkMy talk will be focused on the prevalence of flute player imagery [in the paintings and petroglyphs] across the American southwest. I’ll discuss the various symbologies behind this classic motif, the commercialisation and misidentification of the Kokopelli character, as well as share many examples of flute player imagery that I’ve documented.
About the Speaker
I was born in Sarasota, Florida, and earned a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from Ringling School of Art & Design. I spent my summers traveling the American southwest shooting landscape photography as reference for my paintings. These desert areas have always been home to ancient rock imagery, and as I began to encounter some sites, I became enthralled with the imagery and history behind it. The more I researched and traveled, the more I discovered how numerous these sites were, and I eventually became obsessed with documenting them. Over the years, I’ve learnt that the majority of the American public is quite misinformed about the great cultural value as well as the extreme vulnerability of our ancient indigenous sites. I’ve come to dedicate myself to helping educate and spread awareness as to the importance and relevance of these places. I’m also working to get more people to understand the concepts of stewardship and proper site etiquette. My primary methods of sharing what I’ve learnt are through my YouTube Channel (@NoLonelyRoads) and my Instagram account (@nolonelyroads).