Visionary Art

Shipibo artesans are well-known for depicting their Ayahuasca-based cosmology in the intricate designs of their pottery and colorful fabrics. We are pleased to feature genuine original Shipibo embroided art, inspired by their ancient relationship with Ayahuasca. Every single piece of work by Shipibo artisans is unique. All the textile painting, embroidery, and artisan craft is carried out by the women. From a young age the Shipibo females are initiated by their mothers and grandmothers into this practice. One Shipibo woman tells that "when I was a young girl, my mother squeezed drops of the Piri Piri (a species of Cyperus sp.) berries into my eyes so that I would have the vision for the designs; this is only done once and lasts a lifetime".

While I was in Iquitos in 2006, the materials listed in this category were among a total of 300 pieces of textile I bought from a group of 25 local Shipibo women. To give something back to the community from which they came, a portion of the money received for each Fabric, or downloadable pattern will go straight back to the woman who wove the original fabric. Each time we return to Iquitos we will then dispense the funds we've accumulated, before purchasing more of their best pieces of work. So by purchasing the original fabric or even a download of the image, you are contributing financially to the lives of the Shipibo women who created these beautiful pieces of textile art.

  Shipibo Textiles (1)
  Shipibo Textiles (2)
  Shipibo Textiles (3)
  Shipibo Textiles (4)
  Shipibo Textiles (Image downloads)

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