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Inspiration Thursday: National Museum of Mexican Art

January 12, 2012 1 Comment

Last Saturday, my husband headed down to Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood to visit a textile outlet (which is closed Saturdays – oops!), eat some delicious Mexican food, and check out the National Museum of Mexican Art. PS: They have no admission fee!

So much of the work was so incredible that I just *had* to share some of the pieces. Some of these are made with teeny tiny beads on wax, feathers, reclaimed wood, and dyed reeds. Next time you’re in Chicago, you should really check out this remarkable museum.

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll have seen these pics as they were posted. 

The New Awakening by Santos Motoaopohua de la Torre de Santiago
made with about a zillion chiquira beads in campeche wax

By Luis Guillermo Olay Barrientos
made with dyed reed and varnish on wood

Santiago Apostolic Matamoros by Luis Olay
made with feathers

nude with calla lilies by Luis Olay
made with feathers

The Worm by Miguel Linares Mendoza
made with cartoneria (traditional Mexican type of paper mache – made with cardboard and a type of newsprint, rather than paper)

The Visionary II by Einar and Jamex de la Torre
made with glass

The Garden of Earthly Delights by Ruben Ortiz-Torres
A customized tractor lawn mower with hydraulic systems, gold-plated chain steering wheel, metal flake candy paint and low rider rims!

This is one of the coolest pieces of art I’ve seen in person.

From the National Museum of Mexican Art’s website:

Juan Ángel Chavez (b.1971, Chihuahua) creates large-scale interactive installations and temporary environments. Compiled of wood scraps and found debris, his multifaceted structures highlight the contemporary urban landscape, the natural world, and our human impulse for survival. NEPTUNO presents Chavez’s latest constructed environment, an unassuming passageway that metaphorically connects two unraveling worlds.

I ended up visiting the museum just in time, too! Neptuno’s exhibition ended on Sunday the 8th, and I’m really excited that I got to experience this amazing piece in person.

Filed Under: Inspiration Tagged With: chicago, juan angel chavez, luis olay, national museum of mexican art

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

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Comments

  1. Sonia Millan-Uribe

    April 12, 2013 at 5:56 pm

    Thanks soooo much for posting! The minute I saw that beaded wall…I knew it had to be from The Mexican Fine Art Museum here in Chicago! I love going there every chance I get. Good food @ Nuevo León, MFA & tamales. I’m sharing- GRACIAS!!

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), a craft book author & pattern designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. Really anything with yarn! ❤️  My work combines vintage and modern design elements, featuring bold colors and graphic motifs.

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Learn how to do the magic loop method for knitting Learn how to do the magic loop method for knitting in the round in 90 seconds. / Using the magic loop allows knitters to work in the round with a single, long circular needle at a range of circumferences. 
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I started by removing general clutter & returning straggler supplies from various WIPs, videos & design deadlines to their homes. Next, I hung a third peg board in the space - this one is mostly for display and less for organizing tools or projects. For the first time ever, I’m displaying projects from my book, plus a couple other faves. (The best thing about designing more yarn crafts besides knit & crochet is that I have some really fun -and delightfully pettable 😆- samples around.) I finished by adding a square dowel to my small supply storage tower to keep it from tipping over, plus re-arranging and de-cluttering the closet. 
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