Our eyes were often drawn towards the women’s heads -whether it be the large wide brim montera’s or floral-adorned bowler hats that would compress the long silky slithering black braids firm to the ears of the Peruvian women, or the absolutely massive bundles of goods or jugs of water teetering a top the heads of the East African women as they’d move miles between their earthen homes. As they’d sit upon tiny stools, curbs, or directly in the dust or reeds, the inherited respect these women seemed to have for their natural surroundings, the trees, the water, and the soil was apparent. They’d be wearing textiles printed or sewn with geometric shapes and organic patterns so dimensional and bold they’d almost vibrate as they contrasted sharply off the flat smooth lustre of their skin. The bright graphic garments would wrap, swathe, and tether the body in layers and at angles for tucking infants, piling up in folds, relaxing in creases, and agitating in ruffles. Somehow as heavy as it seemed, the vibe was whimsical, feminine, maternal, yet practical and functional. All with a nod to the Mother Earth beneath their bare feet.
From the sweeping Peruvian polleras and mantas, to the swaddling geometric Zanzibari khanga wraps… bright, beautiful and blowing in the warm wind… I find so much creative inspiration in these memories and mental images. So with Una Mahiri, I imagined stylized cross-culture hybrids of these vibrant women from these distant corners of the world using clay, plaster, paint, wood, vines, resin, coffee, metals, petals, leaves, and well, any other curious and fitting thing I can get my hands on. My goal is to produce a collection of Las Mahiris. I just need a few more hours in the day and days in the week! But for now, enjoy!
