Limited Editions: 13x20" (25), 22x32" (7), 42x52" (3)
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Until very recently, Merak, a village in Eastern Bhutan, was accessible only by foot. Villagers were totally self-sufficient and on rare occasions made the one-day walk to the nearest market. Construction of a private road has made their life easier and brought teachers to the village. Merak Villagers are easily recognizable as they wear unique cloth and hats, all handmade from material of the region. There is no crime, kids are safe. This is life at its purest.
Textile experts widely acknowledge Bhutanese weaving to be among the most sophisticated and time-consuming in the world. Over half of Bhutan’s population is involved in weaving. Bhutanese women continue to pass down weaving techniques through oral tradition. However, the art is still at risk of disappearing in the shadow of urbanization and importation of cheaper commodities. In Bhutan, weaving is not merely a skill, it is a ritual of love that comes from the heart.
The world is changing at an unbelievable pace. While it used to take one generation to bring new technology to a remote part of the world, today, electronic gadgets are almost released at the same time everywhere. Clothes are handmade, cooking is still done on wood fires, homes are heated with the same wood, yet kids have cell phones! Luckily in Merak, the gadgets have not affected them to the point of being disconnected from the nature of traditional life.
