Last week on FEEDBACK FRIDAY we had Zapotec textile artist, natural dyer, researcher, educator Porfirio Gutíerrez. Porfirio talked about his educational and artistic work now based in his Ventura, California studio and gave us a tour.
Watch the video recording below:
Some of the dyes that Porfirio talked about that we sell:
Porfirio Gutíerrez is known internationally for his exceptional devotion to the textile traditions of his home pueblo of Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca, a richly historic Zapotec textile artist community. His mission has been reinvigorating and preserving natural dyeing techniques for future generations both in Oaxaca as well as in Ventura, California. Gutierrez’s work brings awareness to a profound spiritual belief that nature is a living being, sacred and honored.
We had Porfirio on FEEDBACK FRIDAY in June of 2020 and he built off of the last talk.
More about Porfirio:
Porfirio Gutíerrez has been recognized by leading organizations such as the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian, Fomento Cultural Banamex, Harvard University’s Forbes Pigment Collection, and the International Folk Art Market for his tireless work and commitment to his native culture. As a native Zapotec weaver, he advocates for the use and understanding of natural dyes in the creation of his beautifully handwoven textiles. His pieces are included in major museum collections and in the homes of private collectors across the United States, Mexico, and Europe.
Porfirio’s commitment to educating people about the importance of natural dyes helped him see the need for a comprehensive study garden and educational center in Teotitlán, where the local community and visitors alike could come to learn about the cultivation and use of native plants.
FEEDBACK FRIDAY
If you are not familiar with FEEDBACK FRIDAY, every week, we speak with dyers, artists, scientists and scholars about our favorite topic, natural dyeing and color. Curated by Amy DuFault, Botanical Colors’ Sustainability Director and presented by Botanical Colors’ Founder Kathy Hattori.
We even have our own theme song thanks to musician Jimmie Snider (click here to hear more of his music)!