These are among the finest examples of work from the Galeria Fe y Lola, Av. 5 Cinco de Mayo #408, Centro Historico, Oaxaca. They are handwoven with only dense 100% churro wool from the Mixtec highlands dyed with natural plant materials, such as pericone (wild marigold), pomegranate seeds and skin, indigo, pecan shells and leaves, moss and the powder of the dried cochineal bug.
Traditional Caracol (Zapotec Snail)
The rug above is an innovative range of colors. The reds and purples are cochineal. The green is pomegranate. The yellow is wild marigold and moss.
This rug is a creative interpretation of a Zapotec sky with bright cochineal sun on a variegated ground that includes the use of indigo dye (blue), wild marigold (yellow) and pomegranate (green). It can take several weeks to weave a 4′x6′ rug standing at the pedal loom for five to six hours a day.
Zapotec Lightening
Federico Chavez Sosa and his son Eric Chavez Santiago hang a rug of Federico’s design that includes the traditional Zapotec diamond, lightening motifs, and a border of grecas (Greek keys).
The photo was taken during one of their U.S. exhibitions and tours made over the last several years.
In addition, they have exhibited in galleries and presented at university textile programs from North Carolina to California.
This rug conveys the impression of a sunset as the colors move from light tan to variations of red-purple-orange (all examples of cochineal red dye with either an acid (lime) or base (baking soda) application. The yellow at the top is wild marigold. The contemporized Zapotec greca is the centerpiece.
One of the most difficult techniques in tapestry weaving is to execute a curve. Federico mastered this in his teens. You can see the perfectly curved edges in the orange caracol on the blue ground above.
Mountains & Tears Pattern in Natural Wool
Left, cochineal with acid (lime) added, turns the little bug a red orange. Right, is an indigo dye bath. Air is the enemy and the chemistry must be perfect for the dye to work.
The family at the gallery, left to right: Eric, Dolores, Omar and Janet.
