Monday, July 20, 2015

Fumiko Nakayama's Magnificent Molas


One of my favorite exhibits at Salon Pour l'Amour du Fil 2015 in Nantes, France was a jaw-dropping display of molas by Japanese artist Fumiko Nakayama.




Molas are typically made in South America, particularly in Panama and Colombia. They are traditionally part of Kuna women's clothing, and also made as small panels and sold in the tourist trade. I spotted one in a Portland antiques shop, and it reminded me that I wanted to do a blog post about Fumiko's work.

framed mola in a local antiques shop in Portland, Oregon
Having seen many molas, I must say I have a huge crush on Fumiko Nakayama's work. Her molas are magnificent! The scale, the color, and the amount of appliqué and reverse appliqué is stunning. Here are some pictures from Salon Pour l'Amour du Fil.























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18 comments:

  1. NicoleJuly 20, 2015 at 9:40 AM

    HOLY WOW! I can only imagine how amazing these are in person. Thanks for sharing Fumiko's work with us!

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  2. marlynnJuly 20, 2015 at 10:38 AM

    WOW is right. Amazing use of color and contrast. I love these!

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  3. UnknownJuly 20, 2015 at 10:48 AM

    Amazing! Thank you for sharing!

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  4. westmetromommyJuly 20, 2015 at 11:15 AM

    Wow...those are magnificent!

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  5. Susie QJuly 20, 2015 at 11:45 AM

    Interesting to see molas can go modern as well as traditional. Lovely photos.

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  6. JenJuly 20, 2015 at 12:20 PM

    Wow indeed - those are really beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

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  7. ErinJuly 20, 2015 at 2:39 PM

    These are such beautiful pieces! So intricate!

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  8. suzanne, dutchess county NYJuly 20, 2015 at 2:56 PM

    Absolutley amazing! You could sit and just look for hours if you had the chance.

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  9. OrangeMewJuly 21, 2015 at 6:34 AM

    So gorgeous thanks for sharing, the colors and shapes within shapes in composition are fantastic!

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  10. TerryKnott.blogspot.comJuly 21, 2015 at 8:53 AM

    Holy smokes!! I can't fathom the time it took to create even one of these masterpieces. Truly beautiful.

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  11. Wendy Caton ReedJuly 22, 2015 at 9:33 AM

    It doesn't happen to me very often, but I am speechless. These are amazing! Thank you for bringing them and this amazing artist to our attention.

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  12. VireyaJuly 22, 2015 at 3:10 PM

    Wow, that is mind-blowing!

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  13. MarieJuly 24, 2015 at 6:30 AM

    O.M.G. I am in awe!

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  14. Tonya RicucciJuly 24, 2015 at 1:28 PM

    fantastic - I'd love to see these in person. my favorite one is the last one - some kind of astronomical bodies. you should definitely buy one!

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  15. trudys_personAugust 2, 2015 at 9:19 AM

    Oh wow! These are stunning! I would love to see them in person some day ...

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  16. Carolyn MazloomiApril 29, 2018 at 5:46 AM

    These works are beyond fabulous. Do you own any???

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    Replies
    1. Bill VolckeningApril 29, 2018 at 7:00 AM

      I do not own any, but loved seeing them in Nantes.

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  17. ShoogleJune 25, 2021 at 5:04 PM

    These are stunningly gorgeous, breathtaking quilts. Thank you for sharing! Thanks to Fumiko Nakayama for making them.

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