To think of popular arts is to recognize the deep connection between daily life, know-how and the environment. This “return to origins” means a reconnection to the natural and social ecosystems of Latin America and more particularly of Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru. This selection celebrates, among other things, the crafts of plant, wood and textile braiding and emphasizes the gesture and the hand: a sensitive act preserving cultural identity and respecting the link between these indigenous communities.
Thinking about folk arts involves considering an integrative feeling where creativity, daily life, and the environment intertwine in a subtle yet constant manner. Crafts are not isolated from daily experiences but form an essential part of them. From the home, artisanal knowledge is passed down from generation to generation, as a heritage rooted in family conviviality and interaction with the Ibero-American environment. In this space, contemplation and action converge, giving rise to creations that are not merely objects but also witnesses to a shared history.
Artisanal work is thus based on a delicate balance that includes people, raw materials, and geography. Each territory is not perceived as a static backdrop but evolves as a living entity full of meaning, triggering a meeting point between nature and culture in an intimate and mutual reflection. Each artisan community in Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, and Peru is committed to preserving and cultivating traditional knowledge inherent to a specific geographic area. Consequently, the identity of craftsmanship is deeply tied to its habitat, a sensitive act that preserves cultural identity while promoting respect for the natural wealth that unites and enriches these communities.
Ibeartesanías is a cooperation program within the Ibero-American cultural space dedicated to protecting and promoting the region’s crafts and folk art. Currently, it includes the participation of Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, and Peru. The organization focuses on strengthening the bonds of identity that unite the Ibero-American peoples by fostering traditions, creativity, and the innovative capacity of master artisans.
