Alba Rosa Sepúlveda Tapia

Chile

Year(s) attended: 2010, 2011

Weaving (Horse Hair)

Alba Sepulveda began hand weaving delicate miniature sculptures and designs out of horse hair at the age of seven, and has been developing her craft for over 50 years.

Born into a family of artisans from the renowned horsehair weaving town of Rari, Chile, Alba is today one of the foremost weavers in Chile, with a long list of awards and recognitions on an international scale.

She recently developed a cooperative called Arte en Crin, made up of 14 artisans from her hometown of Rari. The cooperative was developed with the intention of creating a space for artisans to be able to support themselves through their traditional art, to engage youth in the centuries old tradition, and to preserve this very important cultural heritage.

Their weaving technique is very particular to the region and town of Rari where miniature weavers utilize a local agave fiber called “ixtle” along with the horsehair.

They create whimsical and vibrant designs drawn both from nature and from folklore including butterflies, birds, bees, burros, witches, angels, dolls, flowers, and rosaries.