At NOVICA, we call them living treasures. UNESCO describes them as protectors of our intangible cultural heritage. They are the global artisans who preserve a disappearing past through masterful creations and techniques that have been passed down for generations. Although their crafts are as varied as the regions from which they come, each of these artisans connects us to a rich history that honors time, skill, and creative expression.
On April 18, we welcome the first-ever World Artisan Day.
Shadow and Light
Gulam Rasool, an acclaimed jali carver (with a handful of awards to prove it), learned the skill from his father. Now he has taught his son. The art form, passed down through generations of his family, traces back to the 16th century. While openwork jali may be most recognizable in the architecture of the Taj Mahal, its origins are humble — and functional. The elaborate perforations that adorn balconies, windows, and screens provided an early (and environmental) form of climate control. Air cools as it compresses to pass through the small holes. It also ensures privacy, allowing those inside to see out, but not the other way around.
Today, jali preserves the rich heritage of the Indian Mughals, but also centuries of artisans who carved the elegant contents of their imaginations in marble, soapstone and wood.
Designs on Culture
On the weekends, they teach their children the same art form they learned while watching their own parents and grandparents. The Ruiz Bazan family of weavers, who have been featured on NPR for their gorgeous Zapotec rugs, have a hand in every step of the process, from dyeing the sheep’s wool with colors extracted from small flowers they grow themselves, to the christenings they perform on each finished rug design.
“Our rugs carry the lines and colors of our native land,” they explain. Hundreds of years of Zapotec culture are woven into the patterns they now share with the world.
Perfect Precision
It begins with fire, raw materials, and a deep reserve of patience. To create traditional Balinese jewelry, a process that Komang Wijayana learned from watching his own parents, an artisan draws from a deep cultural history of the art form, which includes the intricate work of granulation and filigree. Designs are inspired by the lushness of nature, flowers, and the sea, as well as a profound sense of spirituality that flows freely through this Island of the Gods.
No mega factory can mimic the painstaking and detailed handwork of a genuine Balinese artisan. We think this is a great reason to celebrate!
Join us in celebrating the incredible makers of time-honored traditions. Those who work in handmade crafts are in the fight for survival against the mass production of everything.
