Shipibo Textiles 2

Shipibo ceramics and textiles display a unique motif of abstract geometric lines and shapes. Small, even and rhythmic lines are joined at nexus points to make larger shapes. Among these larger shapes are crosses, tumis (Andean ceremonial knives with semi-circular blades), and domes, as well as many less representational figures. These images are drawn by hand and do not follow a pattern. The eye dances as it follows the lines, while never reaching a destination. The symbolism of these images is not understood (at least by non-Shipibo viewers). Leonidas says they represent shamanistic visions associated with ayahuasca or "spirit vine" (a hallucenogenic plant from the Amazon).
Leonidas had several different kinds of textiles. The smallest were made of a basic cotton cloth which was mud-dyed to a ruddy ochre color with a black border. On this cloth is embroidered the geometric designs using a cotton thread. In the photo, at least eight colors of thread are used to show an evolved sense of color. A skill with line is also evident with the positive/negative play of the shapes. The mat is about 11" x 14" and is $45.
There are also larger textiles which do not have embroidery. These are made on cotton cloth with a two-color resist dye technique. The colors are made with different kinds of earth, some imbuing a very dark brown, others a lighter ochre tone.

Shipibo Textiles

I met Leonidas and two of her children one afternoon in Lima. I was attracted to a window display of a store, and as I got nearer I saw a woman inside stringing beads next to a makeshift bench. She encouraged me to enter with a smile, hand signals and friendly words. This is Leonidas, a Shipibo woman from Pucallpa. The Shipibo are an indigenous group from the Peruvian Amazon. She explained that she had travelled from Pucallpa to Lima to sell her textiles and jewelry. The owner of this store was sympathetic to her needs and gave her a small area to display her goods. The beads she was stringing were actually seeds from the rain forest- black, brown, red/black, cream. I spent a couple of hours sorting through the piles and selecting the best ones. The bracelets are $15 and the necklaces $20.