Nancy Neaher Maas, Artist

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THIS GALLERY IS A CATCH ALL FOR MANY THEMES; please scroll for Andean Weavers.

Women's Work: Kitchen Series

Items of everyday life often surprise me with their aesthetic possibilities. I am drawn to things that, at least traditionally, define women’s work. Some of this fascination is admittedly tongue-in-cheek: our refrigerator, dishwasher and laundry (usually clean).

So far the refrigerators include homage to two artists, Henri Rouseau and Gustave Klimt and a memorial to the third week of October, 2007 when the Red Sox won, the shuttle took off and fire devastated southern California.

Andean Weavers

Corners Gallery, Ithaca, New York

On a visit to Andean Peru three years ago, I was struck by the familiar role of women as skilled artisans, supporting their children by creating and selling goods for an eager market. In this case it was the weavers of Chinchero, Peru, not far from the ancient capital of the Inca, Cuzco. They operate a successful cooperative, teaching and maintaining the skills of their artisan ancestors. Their clients are no longer the aristocratic Incan (and Pre-Incan) rulers of the pre colonial past, but rather the increasing numbers of tourists who come to Peru to experience its amazing cultural and architectural history, of which Machu Picchu is but one example.

I have a particular interest in their art since I worked among similar weavers in Boliva as a Peace Corps volunteer many years ago. I assumed that, by this time, mass-produced manufactured products would have supplanted the old artisanry. However, I was amazed to find that these sophisticated and time-consuming handicrafts continue unabated. Communities of weavers, like the women of Chinchero, have even revived some of the more demanding weaving techniques known to the ancient Andean civilizations. Not only are a wider variety of weaving methods enjoying a renaissance – including that of the backstrap loom --, but also organic pre-colonial dyes have been reintroduced as well.

Today the women offer intricate, beautifully colored garments, mantas or shawls, rugs, bags and other items. Some are sold to Western visitors, who frequent their cooperative store in Cuzco. Change is inevitable and, fortunately, the revival of Andean weaving has contributed to the economic well-being of communities like Chinchero. The cooperative divides proceeds among its female members, enabling them to participate in a monetary economy and to improve the overall financial status of their families.

These portraits pay tribute to the weavers’ superior skills and hard labor. They weave in traditional dress—which is still worn in less traveled areas—testifying to their personal satisfaction with their efforts at the loom.