Joana Pavcovich

Artist Statement

Wayuu Bags


The Wayuu (pronounced "Wah-You") people are an indigenous Latin American group inhabiting the visually striking desert of La Guajira Peninsula which borders Colombia and Venezuela.


The “Mochila Wayuu” is their most known traditional craft; however, using the same weaving technique I create much more products including coin purse, clutches into other.To create each unique design Wayuu I use a specific technique of placing a single cotton thread in a manual loom. This technique has been used for centuries having been passed down from one generation of Wayuu women to the next. Plenty of thought goes into each mochila as the weaver takes care in creating an elaborate design that reveals a story. Stories give a cultural history to these mochilas and each mochila inspires a story that shares the traditions of the Wayuu indigenous community while making each bag a very special and one of a kind. Weaving these bags takes great dedication and really shows how devoted the craft is! Today, the Wayuu bags are a crucial part to preserve their culture, traditions, and way of life.


Miyuki


Miyuki is a Japanese technique that owes its name to a brand of beads, whose main feature is the variety of colors and the perfection of its finishes. It is a totally uniform cylindrical rockery, to make spectacular creations. Perfect to combine with other colors of Delica or any bead.