Traditional Weavers of Guatemala: Their Stories, Their Lives

Reviews/Quotes

Traditional Weavers of Guatemala is a book to be savored, read slowly, perused visually, contemplated thoughtfully. It could only have been written by two women who know their Maya subjects through heart and soul, home and family. Each written page presents an intensely personal account that comes only from mutual trust. Kathleen Vitale, Endangered Threads Documentaries When you read this book, you step into Guatemala as though you were being welcomed into the homes of weavers in every area of the country and, in their own languages, able to ask them about their textile techniques and life histories. Their love of beauty and color as well as strength of character glow in every magnificent photo and personal story. Weavers will especially love the detailed information about textile techniques, but every reader will love this tour of Guatemala and introduction to its people. Madelyn van der Hoogt, editor emerita, Handwoven magazine Deborah Chandler and Teresa Cordón weave a tale as rich and textured as the cloth they describe. It is a triumphant tale of personal artistry and innovation. I could not put it down for although I have traveled to Guatemala many, many times, each page taught me something new, luring me to turn the page and read the next poignant profile. The authors’ respectful approach is a must-read for anyone working to help artisans earn a better living anywhere. Mary Anne Wise, president and co-founder of Cultural Cloth REVIEWS: From Library Journal: “Coauthors Chandler (Learning To Weave; Guatemalan Woven Wealth) and Cordón have written a beautiful book featuring intimate portrayals of a diverse group of Guatemalan artists and their works. Coca’s images of the Guatemalan landscapes, artisans, and woven works are breathtaking and add a lush context for the subject. Each of the 20 artists portrayed (weavers, embroiderers, and more) has a short essay and numerous photographs dedicated to their work. Guatemalan history and the background and process of weaving is threaded throughout the artist essays; this compelling presentation style may appeal to more casual readers. In addition to the index and bibliography, a list of organizations supporting Guatemalan weavers and a glossary of foreign terms are included. . . . Academic and art libraries with folk art or textile art collections will find this to be a worthwhile inclusion." from Hand/Eye Journal: "Authors Deborah Chandler and Teresa Cordon take their love for Guatemala along with its luscious textiles traditions and invite readers into the homes of 19 artisans in Traditional Weavers of Guatemala (Thrums Books, September 2015). Readers meet master weavers, dyers, and embroiderers, and learn about their lives during the chaotic period of civil violence, natural disasters, and their daily struggles. In spite of the turmoil in their lives, there's also immense pride in their traditions, the creative process and the finished product: textiles with dazzling detail and color that takes one’s breath away. Chandler and Cordon pack an abundance of material about the creative and technical processes that textile lovers will relish, but also write about region’s rich and varied cultural history. Joe Coca’s eye-popping photography captures the vibrancy of the land, the architecture, the wide array of textile treasures. His portraits of the artisans show the essence of the Guatemalan spirit, endurance, and steely determination to create and pass on their knowledge to younger generations. Each weaver’s story provides tales of hardships and heartbreak, but also lessons of courage and strength. Among the many extraordinary stories is that of Antonio Ramirez Sosof. A former lumberjack whose vocation spanned 30 years until the military and guerilla conflicts within Santiago Atitlan forced him to quit. Antonio’s first foray into craft naturally gravitated towards wood carving, working with branches and roots. The shape of the various pieces of the wood would guide him to what the carving would later become, resulting in objects that attracted both local and foreign attention. Unfortunately, Antonio gave up wood carving due to pain in his shoulders and his back, but a dream led him to pursue another craft—embroidery. Confident, he could learn to embroider, Antonio learned everything he could about needles, yarns, backings, color, and subject matter. Ideas come from his strong belief in God. Nearing 90 and losing his sight, Antonio recruited his grandson to keep the tradition alive. It’s become both a teaching and learning adventure between the two men. Interspersed between the intimate personal histories of the weavers, Chandler and Cordon have added sections that feature process as well as historical and cultural context to their stories. “It’s all about Chocolate and Color” provides a historical summary of the Spanish conquerors interest in cacao beans, which the King demanded in large quantities during the mid-1500s--paid via forced labor and taxes. In the 1600s, the Spanish King became enamored of jiquilite, a species of indigo, and ordered to increase production for commercial purposes. There was a caveat: the conditions in creating the process to extract the indigo was toxic, killing entire villages of workers. Traditional Weavers of Guatemala is a book to revisit often. Readers interested in cultural studies will be touched by the artisan’s stories, and textile fans will want to include this must-have, must-read tome in their libraries." And links to other reviews: http://www.afieldguidetoneedlework.com/blog/three-books http://www.rebeccamezoff.com/blog/2017/1/12/deborah-chandler-and-the-traditional-weavers-of-Guatemala http://www.reporterherald.com/lifestyles/neighbors/ci_29032819/loveland-native-helps-preserve-guatemalan-culture And other reviews, not online First American Art Magazine, Spring 2016 Number 10 Revue Magazine, December 2015 Number 10 Handwoven Magazine, Jan/Feb 2016 Issue 178