Living in Bolivia I was always inspired by the beautiful textiles. The traditional Aguayo in addition to its functional use is a work of art. This square piece of multicolored cloth is characteristic of the Andean zone of Bolivia, an everyday tool used as a blanket, tablecloth or wrapping tool.
My passion for natural fibers and beautiful textiles and having experience working with Artisan groups first in Africa then during my term as Ambassadress to Bolivia led me to create pieces for my collection and in turn assist in building profitable businesses in their communities. Through design and market access I helped them produce products that could be more viable in an international market. I am committed to social justice and giving opportunities to artisans around the world where social injustice are the biggest threats to building strong sustainable communities.
The beautiful colonial Paintings from the Cusco School are preserved in the town of Calamarca Bolivia. This was a Roman Catholic artistic tradition based in Cusco Peru and were the subject of an exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum. https://philamuseum.org/exhibitions/2013/777.html The exhibition includes paintings by Melchor Pérez Holguín (c. 1665–after 1724) and Gaspar Miguel de Berrío (1706–after 1764), two prolific artists from the city of Potosí, Bolivia. Berrío’s Our Lady of Mount Carmel with Bishop Saints of 1764
The exhibition displays the artist’s ability to present European imagery in a new regional style, emphasizing sumptuous textiles and lush colors. Other paintings on view feature objects of popular devotion, among them the anonymously painted Our Lady of Pomata, which depicts a dressed sculpture of the Virgin Mary housed in a sanctuary on the shores of Lake Titicaca, Peru.
Potosí sits at the foot of the Cerro Rico (Rich Hill), known for its abundant silver mines, which funded the Spanish empire for many years. The mines also fueled a great metalworking tradition that produced decorative objects for church, public, and domestic use.
