Subject
Cecília Gomez, Mayan Artist / Tsotsil. “Chonomyakilo ‘, San Andrés Larráinzar, Chiapas, Mexico, 1992
The value of Gomez’s work is twofold, with both its form and content being equally significant. On one hand, the medium she has chosen prevents the disappearance of an ancient Mayan tradition. This choice is a political act, through which Cecy decides to continue weaving the tradition of her community. On the other hand, with her art, she reappropriates a craft traditionally aimed exclusively at women. Gomez confronts the loom as a contemporary communication channel. What is typical of her as a Tsotsil woman has become her artist’s weapon, with which she transcribes messages that challenge the present.
Projects in which she has participated:
Founder of the collective of weavers Kiptik.
Field coordinator with Aid to Artisans, an international organization that advises textile artisans on design, quality, and market.
Teacher in backstrap loom workshops as a contribution to the work of designer Carla Fernández, in the United States and the Jumex Museum in Mexico City.
Chiapas textile art (sanía) in various forums in Mexico, Canada, the United States, and France.
"Man and woman" (yellow and blue)
cloth, wool dyed with natural dyes, brazilwood, achiote, cochineal, lion's beard and chilacayote
80 x 200 cm
2019
“It is a protest about gender equality, men and women alike, we both have virtues to improve, by linking up to be a team in any activity together we advance better”.
"Vegetations" (black background)
Basic cotton and wool dyed with natural dyes from brazilwood and black mud with bitter grass
80 x 200 cm
2019
“This piece is inspired by the identity of the human being and the representation of different languages and traditions”.
"Water" (fish figures)
cloth, wool dyed with natural dyes, brazilwood, achiote, cochineal, lion's beard and chilacayote
70x180 cm
2019
“This piece is a call to take care of the rivers that are our source of life. The zigzag represents the movement of water. When there is a spring, always look for ways. We represent fish that is also food; If we don’t take care of it, it will be contaminated”.
The value of Gomez’s work is twofold, with both its form and content being equally significant. On one hand, the medium she has chosen prevents the disappearance of an ancient Mayan tradition. This choice is a political act, through which Cecy decides to continue weaving the tradition of her community. On the other hand, with her art, she reappropriates a craft traditionally aimed exclusively at women. Gomez confronts the loom as a contemporary communication channel. What is typical of her as a Tsotsil woman has become her artist’s weapon, with which she transcribes messages that challenge the present.
Projects in which she has participated:
Founder of the collective of weavers Kiptik.
Field coordinator with Aid to Artisans, an international organization that advises textile artisans on design, quality, and market.
Teacher in backstrap loom workshops as a contribution to the work of designer Carla Fernández, in the United States and the Jumex Museum in Mexico City.
Chiapas textile art (sanía) in various forums in Mexico, Canada, the United States, and France.
"Man and woman" (yellow and blue)
cloth, wool dyed with natural dyes, brazilwood, achiote, cochineal, lion's beard and chilacayote
80 x 200 cm
2019
“It is a protest about gender equality, men and women alike, we both have virtues to improve, by linking up to be a team in any activity together we advance better”.
"Vegetations" (black background)
Basic cotton and wool dyed with natural dyes from brazilwood and black mud with bitter grass
80 x 200 cm
2019
“This piece is inspired by the identity of the human being and the representation of different languages and traditions”.
"Water" (fish figures)
cloth, wool dyed with natural dyes, brazilwood, achiote, cochineal, lion's beard and chilacayote
70x180 cm
2019
“This piece is a call to take care of the rivers that are our source of life. The zigzag represents the movement of water. When there is a spring, always look for ways. We represent fish that is also food; If we don’t take care of it, it will be contaminated”.
Description
The thousand-year-old legacy of the Tsotsil woman continues to live in contemporary times thanks to the art of Cecy Gómez. Her medium is the backstrap loom, where she combines materials from the land with pre-Hispanic dyeing and weaving techniques.
Creator
Cecília Gomez