Guatemala, Multicolores, “The Energy of the Sun”

“The Energy of the Sun” Extra Large Rug by Tomasa Ventura Cúmez 

This hand-hooked rug was designed and crafted by Tomasa Ventura Cúmez, member and leader of the Quiejel rug-hooking group. Tomasa lives in Quiejel, Chichicastenango, a rural K’iché Maya community in the highlands of Guatemala. Tomasa describes her inspiration for this design: "All the beauty and bounty of the world around us comes from the power and energy of the sun. In this rug I celebrate that life giving energy." 

The artists of Multicolores began learning the rug-hooking technique in 2011. Rug-hooking is a traditional folk art not native to Guatemala. In their design process, artists blend ancestral motifs drawn from backstrap weavings, inspiration from the natural world, and their own imagination. The resulting textile artworks evoke both their Maya heritage and their contemporary, individual creative voice. This piece is unique and the design is entirely the result of the artist's creative vision.

Dimensions: 91cm x 152cm 

Fibre: This rug is made from recycled secondhand clothing, known in Guatemala as 'paca,' on hand-woven cotton base cloth, with a hand-stitched binding. This rug was made using 60-70 recycled garments, which are washed and cut into strips before being incorporated in the design. Material is not dyed during the making process. Recycled materials retain their original color. 

This rug takes approximately 2 months to complete. 

Stock level: 1 (one-of-a-kind item)