The Thread of Yucatecan Identity: Vida Diva

Alejandra Díaz Mariscal defines herself as a visual creator. Her artistic career spans over 20 years in México City, the US, and for the past seven years, in Yucatán. She works with several different mediums including digital photography, aluminum and stone jewelry, clay, cold porcelain, and embroidery.

Yucatán in Thread

Through embroidery she found special inspiration which led her to create “Yucatán en hilos” (Yucatán in thread), a 21-piece collection which begins with Alejandra’s original photography work depicting everyday scenes of women in “hipiles” (the traditional dress of Yucatán). She later prints these photographs onto fabric and adds embroidery detailing by hand to outline and emphasize silhouettes, colorful flowers, traditional dress pieces, and the hair and shawls of the Mestizas who are the main focus of her creations.

Each work of art demands to be held, touched, and turned over and around in order to appreciate the exquisite labor that goes into every piece. The completion of each one can take up to a month, and the largest ones measure 30 cm by 30 cm. By using cross, bullion, and chain stitches, she combines metallic threads with ribbons and other materials, to bring out elements of the “hipil,” making each composition one-of-a-kind.

The work is meticulous, it begins by capturing the scene, naturally and free of all posing; for the most part, she finds her subjects in markets around Mérida, Izamal, and Maní. She then digitally edits the photographs to highlight specific colors and elements, and finally embroiders each detail by hand.

This collection is a feast for the senses. The first thing that stands out is the beautiful photography which captures the scene. Then, you discover new depth upon touching the exquisite embroidery of the “hipiles.”

was captivated by the women who appear in these works of art and the passionate eye for detail when embroidering strands of hair or the fringe of a shawl. My favorite has to be the one of a Mestiza selling her products while using her shawl to help her secure the basket on her head.

This collection has been presented at “Mérida Fest 2018,” in México City, and at different collective art exhibits, where the works are displayed on a henequén rope purchased at the Hacienda Sotuta de Peón; they are held in place with fork-style clothespins, thus simulating a traditional clothesline. Last October, Alejandra was also the winner of the first place in textile art at the 4^th International Biennal of Contemporary Art in Argentina.

Alejandra continues to make unique embroidery, jewelry, and skull art pieces featuring thread, Mestizas, “hipiles,” and hearts inspired by Frida Kahlo; for boutiques in Mérida, Los Cabos, México City, and San Antonio, Texas.