Biography of Maximo Laura

“My work is the development of a rich, singular, fascinating and ancient historical Andean textile fountain in symbiosis with innovations in tapestry around the world. I study the tools, the application of and innovation in textile techniques. Beside, I try to multiply the resources of chromatic expression, maintaining the authentically Peruvian iconographic language.”

Máximo Laura was born in Ayacucho, Peru in 1959. Textile Artist of self-taught formation. Since his early years has shown his talent and passion for drawing and painting, especially referring to color and symbolism; his permanent challenge is the search for a language of his own that would emanate spirituality. At the same time, he experiments and investigates textile art, an interest inherited from his father. Having found his true vocation, he feverishly devotes himself to the arts. He works as a weaver, designer and textile consultant participating in lectures and seminaries since 1988.

He has presented 71 solo exhibitions and he has also participated in several group exhibitions in Peru and abroad since 1985.

His works have been exhibited in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, United States, Spain, France, Finland, Latvia, Germany, China, and Japan among others. The area of research deepened their knowledge in the Andean textile design enriching their work with this ancient technique. Within support projects, has conducted training workshops and counseling to textiles with traditional techniques. Consultant, designer, and lecturer in Art and Contemporary Andean textile design. He teaches workshops of textile art in various regions of Peru and abroad.

Among their main prizes they are found:

National prize “Hands of Gold”, Peru, 1991;

UNESCO Prize for Latin America and the Caribbean, Spain, 1992;

1st Prize Fiber Coral Gables International Festival of Craft Arts, USA, 1993, 1994, 1996;

“Best in Show” Prize, Latin American Art VIII, USA, 2005;

Honorable Mention in 3rd European Textile and Fiber Art Triennial “Global Intrigue”, Latvia, 2007;

National Prize of Culture “Joaquin Lopez Antay”, Peru, 2008;

Peoples Choice Award “Land” The Tapestry Foundation of Victoria Award Exhibition, Australia, 2008;

II Award Silver Medal, Scythia 7 International Biennial Conference and Exhibition on Textile Art, Ukraine, 2008;

Bronze Prize, From Lausanne to Beijing 5th International Fiber art Biennale, China, 2008;

“Ambassador of Ayacucho`s Culture” awarded Regional Government of Ayacucho, Perú, 2008;

Mention Prize, 5ta International Biennial of Textile Art, Argentina, 2009;

“Gran Premio Nacional Amauta de la Artesanía Peruana”, Ministerio de Comercio Exterior y Turismo, Perú, 2009.

First Place Award, Small Expressions 2009 and HGA Award for excellence awarded by the Handweavers Guild of America, USA.

Co-founder of the Iberoamerican Textile Network: REDTEXTILIA, Costa Rica, 2006.

Professional Memberships: American Tapestry Alliance: ATA, European Textile Network: ETN.

Main museums and galleries where shown his work: National Museum of Peruvian Culture (Perú), Museum of the Americas (Puerto Rico), National Museum of the American Indian (USA), Museum of Bibracte (France); Translations Gallery (Colorado), Equator Gallery (Boston), Bleecker Street Studio & Gallery (North Caroline); Les Jardins de Magali Gallery (France), Indigo Gallery (Peru), Sophia Wanamaker Gallery (Costa Rica).