Clothing as a Celebration - Vera Claire
Welcome to the series
"Clothing as Celebration"
Stories about powerful women with style and substance.
Vera Claire
Vera Claire is an American artist living in Oaxaca. Her artistic practice consists of large-scale installations using natural fibers. She creates pieces that envelop the viewer with strong messages. Currently, Oaxaca is her inspiration as she is exploring symbols that are emblematic of concepts that blend traditional crafs and materials with current aesthetics. One of her recent themes is corn as a material and metaphor. “As the basic grain, maíz shapes daily meals, and it’s growing cycle influences the timing of important festivals and celebrations. Spiritually, physically, and economically, maíz is linked to survival, and has sustained peoples and communities around the world for centuries. In Oaxaca, the introduction of genetically modified corn presents risks to health, the environment and biodiversity. It is also driving hundreds of thousands of Oaxacans from rural areas and Indigenous communities, many of them to the United States for work. “I think it is crucial to bring awareness to this. Maíz, the center of Mexican identity, culture, and cuisine is also connected to migration and abandonment of roots. For me, maíz represents the life force, and the relationship between the Mexican people and maíz is symbiotic; they give it life, and it returns the favor.”
Vera moved to Oaxaca in 2015 after living in Chile and Argentina and traveling all over the continent. “During that time, I traveled around the continent, and became familiar with traditional Indigenous arts. I was amazed by the craftsmanship, and also the cosmovision and preservation of ancient knowledge. Eventually that brought me to Oaxaca.”
Oaxaca was always present since Vera was in graduate school where her Master´s thesis consisted on a narrative-based literacy program in collaboration with a cooperative of weavers in Oaxaca. The curriculum was designed with the active participation of the weavers. They expressed their core beliefs, daily struggles, and aspirations. “These important insights helped set the foundations for Cosa Buena— the belief that as a global community, we need to be more conscientious of the impact of travel on local cultures and ecosystems.” Affirms Vera from her home in Oaxaca. “Cosa Buena, my social enterprise, continues to evolve, and with it so do I. Permanence is illusory— nothing is permanent or guaranteed. I like to think of my home, work, etcetera more as steps on a journey, of which I don't know the destination. That being said, the deeper I go, and more involved I am in the communities here, I am actively making efforts to leave a permanent mark.”
Since the beginning of her career, Vera has merged her vocation as an educator with her work as an artist. For her, Education is liberation. “This is my teaching philosophy, and it guides my practice. It is based on the ideology of the Brazilian educator and writer Paulo Freire. His work "Pedagogy of the Oppressed" from 1968 was the inspiration behind liberation movements all over Latin America and Southern Africa. Freire introduced a new and alternative theory around the concept of education. For liberation you need education that inspires you to think critically, education that frees the mind. This happens in dialogue between student and teacher in which learning is a shared experience. When a person is truly educated, she or he will challenge the social structures in the society that oppresses her or him, and try to change it.”
In a timely discourse for this year’s online education revolution, Vera believes that education doesn’t not have to be confined to formal classrooms or traditional learning environments. For her, education is a tool for liberation, where there should be an appropriate support for learners in their exploration of power dynamics, and changes they want to make within their societies. In fact, she views art in the same way as a tool of expression that can be used to address social issues, create awareness, and even promote change within communities.
Can you please mention a few favorite pieces of Mexican textiles
Okay, I will do my best to keep it brief! Huipiles from San Juan Colorado woven on backstrap looms. Los bordados (embroidery) de Cuetzalan, Puebla and San Pablo Tijaltepec, Oaxaca.
Your favorite thing about living in Oaxaca/ México?
The food, colors, the chaos. The deeply ingrained traditions, the creative community, and our ever-growing family.
The biggest challenge of living in Oaxaca/México?
The machismo, the corruption, the violence, and more specifically the impunity and failure of the government to act on increasing threats and violence against women.
Favorite food from Oaxaca
Very difficult question! Probably Mole chichilo and I can never resist a fresh tortilla hecha a mano en comal.
A few designers to watch (working in México)
My friends Gabriel and Jesus of Les Jesus are incredibly talented designers. They have over a decade of experience designing and making costumes and sets for the Joffery ballet. They are brilliant creatives, smart, witty, and I can’t wait to see their next collection!
Mariela Motilla, also a friend of mine and a woman I admire deeply. Mariela is a weaver, painter, and all around artist. She recently launched her brand From Lares, and I am obsessed with everything she is creating. Go check it out!
Guillermo Jester I haven’t had the chance to meet yet personally, but I am a huge fan of his work! Guillermo is a designer working with artisans in Chiapas to create genderless handmade garments. I wore one of the dresses from his Sbak 2020 collection to Design Week Mexico. The dress is a stunning sculptural piece, and was hand pleated by Esperanza Pérez de Amantenango, Chiapas.
Most surprising thing you have found in Oaxaca?
A community of very talented young artists. The next generation of artists in Oaxaca both traditional and contemporary are incredibly inspiring.
Favorite places in México
Oaxaca of course! I also love Ciudad de México and Nayarit.
@vera.claire @cosa.buena @noir.mudsilk
Photos of Vera wearing Noir Rust Short Jacket by Kate Berry
Mazorca and clay photos by Salvador Cueva.