Panamanian Molas
As I've said before, I have a great appreciation and affinity for textiles of all kinds. One of the most inspiring of which is the art of the Mola, a reverse applique made by the Kuna Indian women of Panama. I love the bold, clear colors and intense contrasts and patterns. Wikipedia defines a Mola thusly: "The mola forms part of the traditional costume of a Kuna woman, two mola panels being incorporated as front and back panels in a blouse. The full costume traditionally includes a patterned wrapped skirt (saburet), a red and yellow headscarf (musue), arm and leg beads (wini), a gold nose ring (olasu) and earrings in addition to the mola blouse (dulemor).[1]
In Dulegaya, the Kuna's native language, "mola" means "shirt" or "clothing". The mola originated with the tradition of Kuna women painting their bodies with geometrical designs, using available natural colours; in later years these same designs were woven in cotton, and later still, sewn using cloth bought from the European settlers of Panamá.["
'(Here is the full link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mola_(art_form)) ) Here is a link to the full page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mola_%28art_form%29
Above are two examples that I personally own, one from a garage sale about 20 years ago that I made into a pillow, and one that I picked up at a gallery in Seattle. In the past I have also incorporated them into quilting projects. The video below has tons of amazing examples, though I did have to mute the sweet, sweet jams in order to make it all the way through to the end. Side note: Hmm, maybe Keith Haring knew a thing or two about the Mola as well! Just Saying.
In Dulegaya, the Kuna's native language, "mola" means "shirt" or "clothing". The mola originated with the tradition of Kuna women painting their bodies with geometrical designs, using available natural colours; in later years these same designs were woven in cotton, and later still, sewn using cloth bought from the European settlers of Panamá.["
'(Here is the full link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mola_(art_form)) ) Here is a link to the full page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mola_%28art_form%29
Above are two examples that I personally own, one from a garage sale about 20 years ago that I made into a pillow, and one that I picked up at a gallery in Seattle. In the past I have also incorporated them into quilting projects. The video below has tons of amazing examples, though I did have to mute the sweet, sweet jams in order to make it all the way through to the end. Side note: Hmm, maybe Keith Haring knew a thing or two about the Mola as well! Just Saying.