folk art market

For the third year, Dallas Market Center invited the International Folk Art Market to participate in the Total Home & Gift Market. The collection features artisans from around the world presenting one-of-a-kind lines that combine cultural traditions with inspirational stories.

I have heard and seen pictures of the collection over the past few months, but nothing compares to seeing the work up close. The quality and detail that goes into each piece is truly amazing – I was told it took around four days to complete the bowl I purchased for $40.

Information about the artist:

 

 

Gahaya Links Cooperative

Janet Nkubana and Joy Ndungutse | Rwanda | Baskets

 

For centuries, Rwandan women have taken up basket weaving as part of their rite of passage into adulthood. The baskets, which are woven with a variety of organic reeds and grasses using traditional tools, carry designs with longstanding and particular cultural meanings.

Following the Rwandan Genocide, the Gahaya Links Cooperatives were founded as a way of turning Rwanda’s ancient basket weaving tradition into a source of livelihood for the rural women who found themselves without any means of support. In 2005, the baskets and the women were featured in O Magazine, the magazine of American talk show icon, Oprah Winfrey. The baskets have also been promoted in the displays of Macy’s department stores throughout the United States.