Love SAMA. Donate!

Become a Member

Artwork

Collections Menu
Advanced Search
Image Not Available

Rite of Passage Mola

Image Not Available

Rite of Passage Mola

Artist:
Culture: Guna
Date: ca. 1940
Medium: Cloth appliqué
Dimensions:
height: 17 1/8 in. (43.5 cm)
width: 22 1/2 in. (57.2 cm)
Credit Line: San Antonio Museum of Art, Purchased with funds provided by the Friends of Folk Art
Object number: 88.61.1
Label Text
Molas are a textile panels made and worn by Guna women, who typically sew them onto their blouses. Their production involves sewing together several layers of fabric and cutting and stitching pieces of each layer. The molas’ patterns and imagery often have geometric and zoomorphic themes, though their designs are also inspired by contemporary pop culture. Molas are a symbol of the Guna peoples’ identity and sovereignty. They have also become internationally coveted symbols of Guna culture.

Las molas son paneles textiles creados y usados por las mujeres Guna, que los aplican a sus blusas. Su producción incluye la aplicación de varias capas de tela que se cortan y cosen para crear un diseño. Las imágenes en las molas comúnmente tienen temas geométricos y zoomorfos, aunque sus diseños también están inspirados por elementos de la cultura popular contemporánea. Las molas son un símbolo de la identidad y la autonomía del pueblo Guna, y también se han convertido en un símbolo de su cultura codiciado internacionalmente.

(LA, 2022)
Not on view


The San Antonio Museum of Art is in the process of digitizing its permanent collection. This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect SAMA's complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of such records is ongoing.



© 2019 San Antonio Museum of Art. All rights reserved.