Street Murals for Artesania Sorata
Calle Sagarnaga and Calle Linares, La Paz - Bolivia
Context
Volunteer work for Artesania Sorata, who was looking for a makeover for the shopfronts of the iconical location on Sagarnaga street, the famously nicknamed "calle de las brujas" (the witches market).
Artesania Sorata is a A Bolivian pioneer enterprise with a special role as a community 0rganization.
Artesania Sorata is a recognised fair trade artisan cooperative comprised of indigenous craftspeople from across Bolivia. They focus on creating all-natural, eco-friendly textiles made from alpaca and sheep wools that have been hand-colored with vegetable dyes. Started as a small family endeavor in 1978, Artesania Sorata now employs over 150 indigenous families throughout the country.
Above and beyond a higher standard of living, the group’s artisans are also offered creativity workshops, adult literacy and health programs, and a children’s hearing program.
Content
The two facades of the corner shop in the famously nicknamed "calle de las brujas" (the witches market) was fully covered with motifs inspired by the original designs produced by the crafts company.
The central 3 figures pay homage to the Cholita pacenha, a traditional Andean lifestyle with a very strict dress code, wore by a vast group of the women of the city of La Paz
Process
The murals were inspired by the original and colorful designs of the wall hangings and the handmade dolls, a trademark of this shop. They mostely translate the particularities of Sorata village landscapes, and traditional way of life of this village.
