Maximo Laura is an award winning tapestry weaver from Ayacucho, Peru. He is internationally recognized as one of South America ́s pre-eminent and most unique textile artists. His work is the integration and synthesis of ancestral weaving techniques, symbols, memories, myths and rituals with contemporary art and color. All his tapestries are made from 100% Alpaca wool. Laura is the fifth generation of weavers that learned his craft as a child at the side of his father while growing up in Ayacucho, Peru. He developed his art through internal self-exploration and external exploration of the world, including a lifelong study of art history and literature beyond the borders of Peru. We have been working together with Maximo for over 25 years, perfecting certain designs and color schemes.

Retablos are sophisticated folk art in the form of port able boxes filled with brightly colored figurines arranged into intricate narrative scenes. From the 16th to the 19th centuries, Retablos were carried through the mountains by Spanish priests as portable religious shrines for Catholic saints. Later, they were adapted by indigenous people to include their own deities and mythologies. The retablos depict religious, historical and everyday events. People, animals, and mythical figurines create poignant scenes from a doughy mixture of boiled potato and gypsum powder. For this sculpting process, the only tool is a small piece of wood resembling an enlarged toothpick.

Saul’s passion for art started as a child watching his parent’s work. At that time, the work was done with craft tools, charcoal burning using quinoa, which is a hard wood, used to give the burnt black hue to the gourds. His dedication to the art of engraving gourds became stronger and he started to work full time. Over the years he began to use a pyrographer, trying to reach perfection in the designs regardless of the time it would take. To achieve the final form of a design he had to go through many stages, ruining many mates to achieve his purpose, but the love he has for this art made him dominate the art with perfection. Currently, Saul has a workshop with his brothers and sister who keep the secret of this art.