Moises Martínez Velasco - MEXICO
Moises Martínez Velasco is a Zapotec weaver from the northern highlands of Oaxaca. He runs a family atelier located in the mountains of San Pedro Cajonos, 3 hours from the city of Oaxaca.
Moises and his family work with the creole silk, a unique texture and finish from this area. They are involved in the entire process from growing the morera plant, feeding the silkworm, making the yarn, weaving on a back-strap loom, dyeing and finishing with rapacejos, a technique of knots and interlacing of threads that shape geometric figures at both ends of the silk shawls. Colors are achieved with natural dyes such as cochineal (purple, red), indigo (blue), pericón (yellow), brazilwood (red), oak bark (brown)
The silk cocoons are used only after butterflies have been born, respecting the natural cycles of animals and plants.