With love, from Mexico Print

An Otomi-inspired painting following my trip to Mexico earlier this year. Otomi or Tenango is a style of embroidery which originated in Tenango de Doria by the Otomi - indigenous people of Mexico, mainly living in the Hidalgo region. Though they had been embroidering for centuries, in the 1960s the Otomi people faced a financial crisis due to severe droughts, so they looked for alternative sources of income and developed the particular style we see today. They use flowers, fauna, people, animals and mythological creatures, and some figures are said to be inspired by cave drawings. Symbols can represent nature, fertility and spirits, amongst other traditions and beliefs. When finding inspiration in other cultures, I think it’s important to do three things: 1. Don’t replicate it and take it as your own 2. Give credit to the artists and the story of the artwork’s origins 3. Compensate the artists/people from that culture I haven’t yet found a specific organisation for Otomi artisans, so I’ve donated to Help Chiapas which supports indigenous people from Chiapas through language, culture, education and health exchange. If sold, 20% of profits made from this painting/print will be donated again.