RSS Feed (xml)
I think MOLAS are my favorite form of textile art. The technique includes sewing several layers of different colored cloth on top of each other, cutting the cloth at various levels, and then hand stitching to finish the piece. Traditional molas were originally used as clothing panels, with geometric patterns. Nowadays, the Kuna women of Panama also use images of animals in their work, and they are used for a variety of purposes.
Molas are one thing I just can't pass up, when I see them in a museum gift shop. I have a few around the house, and put them under glass for safe-keeping. When I ran into MolaMama on 1000Markets, you know my heart skipped a beat. In her profile, she explains how she works in collaboration with a group of Panamian women, "My Kuna friends translate my designs into their traditional reverse applique MOLA fabric folk art, which in turn creates an economic avenue for indigenous artists."MolaMama is also on Etsy. Some of her pieces are not only decorative but are utilitarian, which is always a good selling point. Why not have a beautiful handmade object, that you can use in your everyday life? Here are a couple of my favorite pieces she has in her shop:
11 comments:
Awesome!
Look, I made it past the "abort message" this time! WooHoo
Very cool! Fun technique :)
Gorgeous colorful pieces!
love the colors in her work - so vibrant :)
Wow - I'd never heard of Mola's before - and those are just incredible looking!
Wow. I've never heard about that process before. Her work is so vibrant and inspiring. Thanks for sharing!
I love that Turtle! All of MolaMama's pieces are gorgeous; they must take ages to create!
Robin
Beautiful work! I love the kitties of course!
I love that form of embroidery! I used to see that work done at some of the swap meets in San Diego in the 80's. So intricate and pretty.
really beautiful, and of course, I love the kitties.
Wow!! What a sweet surprise! Thanks for featuring me Deb!
So cool that you have a connection with molas. First time I saw them I was hooked and had no choice but to create a life designing and working with them and the amazing Kuna tribe. Thanks for appreciating what we do!!
Post a Comment
I'd love to hear from you {:-D