#yaukYaug

#yaukYaug - (Mixed-media painting incorporating an authentic hand-sewn Mola textile by a Kuna artist from Guna Yala. Painted elements and overall composition by Anji Ray.) #Yaug-Yauk translates into 'Turtle-Turtle' in the Kuna language. The sacred leatherbacks are highly regarded as sentient spiritual beings, it is said that they were once humans until a tsunami swept them away to sea. Thus, they are considered lost brothers and sisters of the Guna Yala indigenous people of Panama. How many layers will you go through Grandmother Ocean?   This authentic Mola panel comes from my father’s land of #Panama, where the #indigenous women of the #GunaYala #Kuna hand stitch each panel into their traditional daily wear using a reverse appliqué technique.  #Mola literally translates into the word “shirt” in Kuna.  From it, I was able to create a piece of abstract work which highlights the beauty of the stitching.