On July 4th, 2013, a significant milestone in Peruvian art was achieved. Master Máximo Laura founded the first Museum of Contemporary Textile Art in Peru, choosing Cusco, the Historical Capital of Peru, as its home. This city, honored as a “Cultural Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO in 1983, became the backdrop for showcasing Laura’s most significant masterpieces.
The Máximo Laura Museum was initially housed in the residence of another renowned Cusco artist, sculptor Edilberto Mérida Rodríguez. This location, nestled in the monumental neighborhood of San Blas, is deeply rooted in the historical center of the Inca city.
On October 10th of that same year, the museum officially opened its doors, receiving legal recognition from the municipality of Cusco. This grand opening, or vernissage, was graced by notable personalities from both Cusco and around the world, including Sasha McInnes, the founder of Puchka Peru Textile Tours.
In July 2017, the museum found a new home on Santa Catalina Ancha Street, just half a block from Cusco’s main square. This monumental colonial building, boasting authentic Inca walls, became the new canvas for Laura’s artistry. Since its relocation, the Máximo Laura Museum has soared in popularity among tourists. In 2019, it was awarded the Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor and ranked among the top five attractions in the historical capital of Peru.
At the heart of our vision lies the commitment to preserving and celebrating the work of Master Máximo Laura. He stands as a beacon of Peruvian culture, representing both the rich ancestral roots and the promising future of textile artistry. His creations are not just art; they are woven tapestries of history, tradition, and innovation. By championing his legacy, we aim to be the foremost Museum and Gallery of contemporary textile art in Peru and the entire Andean region. It is our belief that by safeguarding this invaluable cultural treasure, we can inspire future generations to appreciate, continue, and evolve the rich tapestry of Peruvian textile traditions.
The Máximo Laura Museum stands as a pillar of Peruvian textile artistry, housing a private, curated collection dedicated to both the exhibition and commercialization of Master Laura’s masterpieces. Beyond being a mere repository, the museum actively engages in cultural services, offering workshops and hosting both permanent and temporary exhibitions. While its primary location is nestled in the heart of Cusco, Peru, its influence extends globally through partnerships with galleries worldwide. Our mission is to amplify the voice of contemporary Peruvian culture, with a particular emphasis on textile art—a medium that embodies the rich tapestry of our ancestral legacy. Through our endeavors, we aim to ensure that this vital form of artistic expression continues to inspire, educate, and resonate with generations to come.
Holding the distinction of hosting Peru’s first contemporary textile art museum, rooted in a millennia-old civilization, is a mission of profound significance and responsibility. Textile art in South America is an artistic expression that has preserved its essence in designs and colors since pre-Columbian times when our ancestors began crafting garments and blankets to withstand the diverse climates of the Andes, the Amazon, and the coastal shores. Today’s weavers continue to honor age-old traditions, using materials like Peruvian cotton, globally renowned for its quality, alpaca wool, and plant fibers like cabuya.
This art draws from ancestral techniques and stands out for its vibrant color palette, derived from natural dyes, offering us soft and elegant shades. From a conceptual perspective, contemporary textile art, especially that of Master Máximo Laura, intertwines with deep ideologies passed down by our ancestors. Through dreamlike colors and shapes, a visual language is crafted that not only evokes emotions but narrates stories and reflects pre-Columbian cosmology and epistemology. It’s an artistic expression that captures the essence of life, nature, and the cosmos, where humans see themselves mirrored in the vast fabric of the universe. Like all art forms, textile art seeks to represent and celebrate the intrinsic beauty of nature and life.
