Guatemalan Textiles

Guatemalan hand woven textiles are known worldwide for its intricate designs and vibrant colors. Patterns are often traditional Maya designs and differ from regions and tribes.

The Forsyth Center Galleries is showing an exquisite collection of Guatemalan apparel dating from the late 19th and early 20th century, and representing a significant cross-section from more than 100 villages found in the Guatemalan highlands. Reports Newswire.com in an article today.

The MSCC Forsyth Center Galleries at Texas A&M University is featuring, Guatemalan Maya Weavers: Colors of Tradition, from Oct. 16 through Dec. 15 at the J. Wayne Stark Galleries.

Women of the Guatemalan highlands have been weaving clothing using handmade backstrap looms for centuries, yet no examples of Guatemalan textiles older than 200 years are thought to exist. The Forsyth Center Galleries are fortunate to possess an exquisite collection of Guatemalan apparel dating from the late 19th and early 20th century, and representing a significant cross-section of the more than 100 villages found in the Guatemalan highlands.

As each Latin American country is different from one another, so are the villages that comprise Guatemala. Throughout these villages, Guatemalan women have maintained a tradition of incorporating particular colors, patterns, shapes and symbols that make up the styles of dress that are unique to each village. Included in the exhibition are complete men's and women's outfits used for everyday living, as well as complete men's and women's outfits used for special celebrations and rituals. Keep in mind there are also controversies of the role that colonization has played in the wearing of these textiles, but that is for another thread.

The exhibition was organized by Forsyth Center Gallery Director, Nan Curtis. According to Curtis, "The varied styles of dress on display in Guatemalan Maya Weavers: Colors of Tradition offer us a rare opportunity to explore an important heritage as well as an integral part of daily life for the Guatemalan Maya, an ethnic community that demonstrates some of the greatest variety of weaving skills and some of the greatest diversity in design and color in art." The textiles were a gift from Harwood K. Smith ( '35 ) and his wife, Kate, to the MSCC Art Collection in 1983. The MSCC Art Collection is maintained by the Forsyth Center Galleries.

The Forsyth Center Galleries is a non-profit cultural institution at Texas A&M University that provides intellectual enrichment for the humanities in the fields of American Art, and American, English, and French glass objects. As the home to the Bill and Irma Runyon Art Collections, the Galleries house one of the world's extraordinary collections of glass objects and American paintings. Their mission is the commitment to education, exhibition, and the interpretation of the fine and decorative arts. The Forsyth Center Galleries are open Monday through Friday 9:00 am from to 8:00 pm and Saturdays and Sundays 12:00-6:00 pm. They are located at the southwest corner of the Memorial Student Center on Texas A&M University's main campus. Admission is free. For more information contact 979-845-9251, or email fcg@msc.tamu.edu
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