Museo Maximo Laura
On our last full day in Cusco, we were in the mood to see something uniquely Peruvian, but we’d had our fill of Inca ruins, Spanish monasteries, and museums full of artifacts. We found exactly what we needed around the corner from our hotel, at Museo Maximo Laura (MML).
Maximo Laura (born 1959) is a Peruvian textile artist from Ayacucho, a small Andean town west of Cusco. Laura is a fifth generation tejedor (weaver) who achieved international recognition for his colorful, distinctive tapestries.. He was even designated a UNESCO Living Human Treasure in 2010, for preserving and elevating the culture of his home country.
Upstairs, MML was a contemporary textile museum showcasing a permanent exhibition of Laura’s tapestries. Downstairs, MML was an art gallery with tapestries and textile sculptures for sale. All the pieces had been handwoven on a wooden pedal loom. Laura has a studio/workshop in Lima, where a team of five weavers assists in executing Laura’s designs.
I was completely blown away by Laura’s work! It was a fascinating blend of pre-Columbian symbols (sacred animals, sun and moon, chakana cross), vivid Andean colors, and unconventional depictions of nature and the human form. The innovative weaving techniques - twisted and knotted yarns and ombre effects - made the tapestries three-dimensional, and I felt compelled to reach out and touch them. Each piece was packed with visual elements that invited repeat viewings. Sometimes his pieces reminded me of Picasso, Chagall, Kahlo, and more, but the work was uniquely Laura.
Some pieces from the permanent collection:
And some favorite pieces from the store:
We were both drawn to this wonderful piece titled Sanctuary of the Jaguar, and we were very tempted to buy it! But one of the downsides of being nomads is that we don’t have a permanent home to display any art we buy. Perhaps someday, we’ll own a Maximo Laura tapestry. Until then, this one will have to live on in our memories.
