fibre-art, weaving, textile
pattern heavy
tribal design
fibre-art
weaving
textile
fashion and textile design
geometric pattern
repetitive shape and pattern
geometric
repetition of pattern
pattern repetition
textile design
beaded
layered pattern
indigenous-americas
Dimensions: 27 5/8 x 50 1/2 in. (70.17 x 128.27 cm) (folded)
Copyright: Public Domain
This ceremonial punchu was woven, we think, by a Quechua artist. The image is full of stripes in warm, earthy colors. There are reds, browns, ochres, and greens, which combine to create this grounded feeling. I can imagine the maker of this textile patiently working to create this object. Each line seems like a breath, a gesture of repetition and contemplation. It must have been very time-consuming work. I think of Agnes Martin and her drawings, or even Sean Scully, each artist following a very personal and idiosyncratic set of rules. There is also something about the way that textiles can be folded and worn on the body that puts the viewer into a very intimate relationship with the object, and with the person who made it.
Comments
Punchus, or ponchos, became popular in the Andes during Spanish colonial rule (1533-1825). Following a Native uprising in the 1780s, the Spanish viceroy forbade tunics, believing them to be a source of indigenous nationalism. As an alternative, men began wearing ponchos, which were essentially tunics with open sides. They were quickly embraced as a new symbol of Native identity. Ironically, the Spanish military also appreciated the versatility of ponchos, adopting them as part of their uniform.
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