The Soapbox Series Vol. 8 Textiles
One of the most deceptively challenging art forms unique to Mexico and its artisans
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Casa Cruz’s Luis David showcases some of the families’ work
Let’s just say, that us writing about the craftsmanship and technique behind something that is a centuries’ old skill passed down through generations in Mexico, is a akin to walking into your grandmother’s kitchen and telling her how to make Sunday sauce. Ridiculous on the surface, but every time we think someone has heard all about the techniques and artisanship that surrounds us here, we’re surprised to realize how much new information is being shared. And so with that, allow me to stand atop the soapbox…
One one of our trips to mainland a few years ago, we spent a week wandering Oaxaca. I know what you’re thinking, a week is insufficient to explore one of the regions of Mexico renowned for its contributions to art, food, drink and so much more! We know, we agree…and yet, on this trip we were fortunate to meet the Casa Cruz family and had our first introduction to the incredible work and skill that goes into the process for each textile woven. Have you ever tried to brush wool into yarn? Did you know that cochineal, the parasites that infest cactus are what is used to make the incredibly rich red hues and that it is getting harder to forage for in Mexico? Or that if you photograph a textile made with natural dyes and wool versus one made with synthetics, the natural colors are subdued? As vivid as these images are, just imagine how much better they are in person.
Just as art history, or a guided tour through a museum enhances the value and depth of understanding of each art piece, so does meeting the people and knowing the steps and time involved in every piece of woven tapestry.
In 2024 we had the idea of bringing the Cruz brothers Emiliano and Luis David to Todos Santos to lead multiple days of natural dye workshops, and featured their work in a pop-up exhibition at Oystera for three months. Seeing their families’ tapestries and rugs displayed under spotlights as you would any other art was an emotional experience, and perhaps you were one of the people who got to experience that gift alongside us.
If you’d like to revisit that week, we have a gallery viewable here. If you’d like to learn more about the process of turning natural fibers into yarn, herbs and insects into some of the richest colors we’ve seen, and those materials woven into beautiful rugs for your home (that come with a multi-year guarantee), visit us here.
And if you’d like to visit the family in Teotitlàn del Valle and learn more directly, we are happy to make an introduction. And if you can’t spare the time, we understand! We have a few pieces remaining in stock for sale at The Co-Op Baja, including indigo shibori surfboard bags that Drew made with Emiliano at our shop and at La Katrina Surf & Skate in the Otro Lado.
Functional artwork can be everywhere, and nowhere is that more true than in Mexico.
The Soapbox Series is presented by Know Your Water Baja
