An array of colourful yarn dotted the room, with little wooden twigs lying scattered on the floor complementing the lady who is joyously running about in perfect synchronisation with the colourful environment.
The lady, Tejasweeni, is weaving Ojo de Dios. Delightful weaving with a definitive spirituality attached to it churns out a magical Ojo de Dios.
Each weaving is traditionally created for a blessing or as a gift or to simply bless homes. This practice of weaving is an ancient spiritual practice for many natives in New Mexico (US) and in Mexico which boast of rich history and tradition.
An opportunity of staying at multiple places in her growing up years, Tejasweeni soaked up the richness that each place could offer her. Ever jubilant, Tejasweeni says, “Creativity has been a genetic blessing and all I did was to follow my strengths.
I would help my mother with craft workshops during holidays and it was glass and sand paintings that interested me. But once I discovered Ojo de Dios, there was simply nothing more to choose from.”
In an effervescent tone she says, “I learnt this form way back in 2010, and it has been an exciting journey so far.
I have participated in exhibitions.
This art form is an old Mexican tribal art. The real blessing is that I learned weaving from Jay Mahler, a master, and Julia Katarina, a great Ojo weaver.”
These Ojos (plural) are woven around sticks. Earlier, the natives used tree branches to weave them and as time passed by, the art evolved through the usage of various other mediums like sticks and wires and different kinds of yarn and threads too.
An Ojo can be a simple four-sided to a complex 12-24-36 sided one.
It can be as small as 4 cm to 36/40 inches in diameter. Traditionally, these are woven in solitude as a soulful prayer and meditation and at other times also with elders to foster a spirit of community.
“What had started as dabbling with craft left a huge impression on me, and the visual impact with a wide spectrum of colours left me speechless after the first Ojo I made. The simplicity, coupled with the history behind this intriguing craft form has captured me for life,” the artist explains.
Tejasweeni stresses that it has been her strong endeavour to spread the awareness about Ojo de Dios in India.
The art form has eluded the Eastern part of the world up until a few years ago. Peering through her work at her own entity aptly called ‘T’s Ojo de Dios’, one can rummage through Ojo coasters, jewellery, brooches, hair bands, photo frames, key holders, wall decorations; the list being endless.
The next time you head out to an art and craft exhibition, do let your eyes pan out till you see Ojos hanging from a tree or sitting pretty on the bushes.
The colourful lady with her splendid weaves and an infectious smile beckons you to her colourful world. After all, Ojo de Dios cannot elude us for long!
