Standing amid stacks of woven textiles bursting with vibrant colors and designs, Faustino Ruiz Lorenzo explains how each color is hand-dyed using natural plants, insects, and minerals. Lorenzo is a thirteenth-generation weaver who is committed to carrying on the tradition of artesanía inspired by his ancestors.
“The skill is passed down from father to son for many generations,” he says. Using the large, wooden pedal loom that was his grandfather’s, Lorenzo masterfully crafts intricate designs out of the colorful wool that hangs in rainbows of skeins behind him. Many of his patterns are inspired by the geometric designs of the Zapotec and Mixtec, along with more modern images. “My favorite designs are from the archeological site at Mitla. The three designs represent the three cultures: the Mixtec, the Zapotec, and the Mayans,” Lorenzo explains.
Lorenzo buys wool from the market, where families that live around his pueblo, Teotitlan del Valle, come to sell their wares. He dyes the wool by hand, and his natural technique not only follows the tradition of his ancestors but also frees him from any concerns about using chemicals in his home. He then expertly weaves each piece by hand, each one taking anywhere from three days to a few weeks, depending on its size and the intricacy of the design.
“Nothing is easy without help,” he says, “It is only possible with the entire family.” Lorenzo and his family sell his art at the market in Teotitlan del Valle and also to vendors in the city of Oaxaca. His brilliant, naturally-derived colors and traditional designs reflect his family’s long history of artesanía and the pride and beauty woven into his work.
