MÁXIMO LAURA

1959

Peru

ÁXIMO LAURA, born in Peru in 1959, has woven in his father’s workshop since he was 9 years of age, attending school in part time. While studying Spanish literature, he discovered that weaving can be an expressive art form when he met Italian textile artist – Helvecia Kela Cremaschi, who had her workshop in Lima at that time. He has devoted himself to this form of expression ever since, clearly showing his Andean roots and cosmic world view. He hopes to contribute to the renewal of this rich old culture that is still alive, although threatened with extinction. Looking for a contemporary view with his style; “In my work I use colours as sources of energy and vitalisers – light is energy”. His vibrant, colourful tapestries are recognized and winning prizes all over the world, e.g. an Honorable Mention at the 3rd European Textile and Fibre Art Triennial, “Tradition & Innovation”, held in Riga in 2007; a Bronze Prize at the 5th International Fiber Art Biennial & International Fiber Art Symposium in Beijing, China, in 2008 and an Award of Excellence in 2010; an Honorable Mention at the 5th International Biennial of Textile Art in Buenos Aires in 2009; First Prize at the Handweavers Guild of America’s “Small Expressions” in 2009; an Honorable Mention at the 13th International Tapestry Triennial of Lodz, Poland, in 2010; the Award of Excellence at the VI International Biennial of Textile Art “AIRE” held in Mexico in 2011. Also in 2011, his work was on show at the prestigious Textile Museum of Washington DC, having been picked for the exhibition “Green – the Color and the Cause”.

Laura produces tapestries is his own workshop, woven by a very specialized team of weavers trained in his own technique, either in small series or as part of his permanent production. Besides having commissions he is involved in teaching and training of colleagues. One-offs and “museum pieces” are woven by the artist himself and finished by his personal assistants. All tapestries are made from Peruvian alpaca wool and chemically dyed wool and dyestuff are from industrial production. His working method, using multiple coloured threads in one weft, is very similar to that of the Aubusson technique, except that Laura uses a third dimension, a surface texture that produces a greater expression. Currently he is working on wall-filling murals, but for Kaunas and the intimate “Museum of the Devil” he has chosen a series of smaller tapestries showing a contemporary Andean view on everyday life.

Máximo Laura was nominated a “National Living Human Treasure” in his native Peru in 2010.

 Beatrijs Sterk

www.maximolaura.com

http://www.facebook.com/maximolaura

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