Lleno De Vida
Textile Design and Graphic Design​
May 2022
This project grew out of my love for Maya fabrics and past projects related to textiles. This is an investigation of the role traditional textile fabrics have on everyday Mayans like myself and its importance and sacredness to Maya culture. In addition, it’s a self exploration in looking in my past and why I hold these fabrics deeply in my heart.
My mom enjoys telling me stories about her childhood. She reminds me of what little she had growing up, that everyone in her family, including the kids in the community only owned 2, rarely 3 outfits. Sharing was a big thing in their family because clothing and shoes were very expensive. I decided to write a poem about my mother called, 2 Outfits. With the poem, I created multiple sketches that set off the rest of this project. How I can preserve my heritage and expand from traditional Mayan clothing.
Traditionally, young daughters are taught by their mother how to weave using a back strap loom and get passed down family fabrics to continue preserving sacred fabrics. Unfortunately, my mother was never taught how to use the back strap loom nor did she have any family fabrics. So, I took this opportunity to make my own garment with the help of my tía Marta, who sent me fabrics she weaved. I was able to make a coat and with this coat I will pass it down to my daughter. I also created a poster where I'm at my mothers corn field in Guatemala. In recognition of the love and support from my mom and my tía Marta, I made two wooden diamonds for them.
Mother
Tía Marta