Tapestry of Life: The Ancient Art of Zapotec Weavers

Crochet Getaway welcomes Noreen Kompanik as a returning contributor. In Taos, New Mexico, Noreen visited Susanna Starr, founder of Starr Interiors, and shares insights into the art and history of Zapotec weaving.

Magnificent Taos, New Mexico has long been known as a mecca for artists and visionaries. From native pottery created from the earth’s elements to eclectic more modern works, art has always been a part of Taos’ unique culture. 

For 45 years Susanna Starr has been an integral part of the Taos’ artist scene. Her shop, Starr Interiors carries the largest collection of high quality, hand-loomed 100% wool Zapotec Indian rugs, wall hangings and pillows found anywhere in the world. 

Susanna’s fascination with the Zapotec culture began in the early 1970’s when she and photographer husband, John Lamkin navigated the dirt roads of Oaxaca in south-central Mexico and happened upon the remote village of Teotitlan high in the mountains. 

Starr felt an immediate connection to the friendly villagers and their magnificent hand-woven quality products. 

“The heartbeat of Oaxaca is reflected through its indigenous people, the Zapotec Indians” said Susanna. She and John were so taken with her experiences that Susanna’s words and John’s photos created a spectacular book titled “Our Interwoven Lives with the Zapotec Weavers: An Odyssey of the Heart.”   

The Zapotecs or “cloud people” as they’re often called inhabited the valley of Oaxaca and once built great ancient cities but one of their lasting cultural achievement includes their one-of-a-kind weaving traditions. She was so taken by these ethnic weavings that weren’t being sold anywhere in the U.S. that Susanna began bringing these masterpieces back with her, and introduced them to not only Taos, but to the world. 

For the last 45 years, she has loyally worked with the same families of Zapotec Indian weavers who’ve lived and weaved in the same town where art and culture have flourished for over 5,000 years. Weavers here use only hand-carded, hand-spun wool, carefully selected for their quality. Colors are mixed by hand in a time-honored manner using natural elements or their own organic dyes. From woolen skeins of varied colors, double harness or flat looms produce immensely tight, completely reversible heirlooms. These stunning and enduring pieces of art maintain their shape, color and quality over time.  

Natural colors for the wool dyes include marigolds for orange and yellow, lichen for greens, pecan shells and bark for brown and mesquite for black. Traditional designs are based on Pre-Hispanic geometric patterns seen at ancient Zapotec archaeological sites and ruins. 

Leah Sobol, director of sales for Starr Interiors has worked with her friend Susanna for over 18 years. Her love of weaving as an artform is apparent in her enthusiasm and pride for Starr Interiors’ “Line of the Spirit” collection that blends design elements from world ethnic and tribal cultures—particularly the Zapotec people. The rugs, wall hangings and pillows are so exquisitely handcrafted that Leah says famous customers like Sting, Paul Simon and Diana Ross own these collections.  

Other blog posts you may enjoy…