Mexican Amates

Mexican Amates

It’s an ongoing effort at gallery g to evolve its collection and display, and to educate its patrons. In association with the Embassy of Mexico in New Delhi and the Honorary Consulate of Mexico in Bengaluru, gallery g showcased ‘Mexican Amates’, an exhibition of traditional art done on Amate Paper. This travelling exhibit was previously displayed at Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum in Mumbai.

The Amate Paper (from the Nahuatu word Amati) is a type of bark paper which dates back to the pre-Hispanic times in Mexico. It’s production as a commercial craftwork started following the merging of two indigenous traditions: the Otomi people, who manufacture the bark paper and the Nahua people, who decorate it.

In contemporary Mexico, Amate can be found as a form of handcraft fostering tourism in the Otomi community of San Pablito, Puebla. The Otomi people sell the Amate paper to the Nahua community in the state of Guerrero, where the artisans skillfully paint it using bright colours.

  • Artist: Various
  • Exhibition dates: 01-Dec-2018 to 31-Dec-2018
  • Venue: gallery g