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Maria
Eugenia Davila and Eduardo Portillo, Guardian
2006
Maria
Eugenia Davila and Eduardo Portillo are spearheading
the techniques of rearing silk worms, weaving with locally
produced fibers and dyeing with natural dyes in Venezuela.
They spent several years in China and India studying
sericulture and now raise silkworms on mountain slopes
in
Venezuela. This hanging by Davila and Portillo, entitled
Guardian, includes silk as well as palm fiber
from the Orinoco River delta and wool from the Andes.
These natural fibers were dyed in indigo, eucalyptus
and cochineal
and woven on a handloom using a computer-assisted design
unit. Guardian
was inspired by visits to the Orinoco and the Amazon
rivers and the realization of mankind’s obligation
to safeguard the environment.
About
the Artists
Warp:
silk and Moriche palm fibres. Weft: wool
Triple weave, dyed with indigo, eucalyptus, and cochineal
Courtesy of The Whitworth Gallery, Manchester, UK
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