On November 30, 2024, NOVICA and the world lost a master craftsman whose work transcended the beauty of fabric and threads to weave the very spirit of Guatemala into each of his creations. Eladio Chiroy, a man whose hands held the legacy of his ancestors and whose heart beat for the future of his people, passed away at the age of 82, leaving behind an unforgettable imprint on the art of weaving and the lives he touched.
Born in 1942 into a humble family, Eladio’s journey into the world of textiles was shaped by both necessity and passion. Raised in a home where his father wove on a traditional handloom and his mother worked tirelessly to sell those weavings, Eladio learned early on the value of hard work and perseverance. He often said that his father, a man of immense determination and skill, was his greatest inspiration. As a young boy, Eladio dreamed of one day becoming a master weaver, just like his father. It was a dream that shaped his life and inspired generations to come.
At the core of Eladio’s story is a deep love for Guatemala’s cultural heritage. After completing primary school, he embraced the art of weaving, as had his forefathers. Eladio became a teacher of weaving, a visionary, and a protector of culture. He devoted 28 years of his life to teaching public school students, introducing them to the art of weaving and empowering them with the skills to help preserve it. His classroom wasn’t confined to the walls of a school though, it extended to looms he set up far and wide for young hands to learn to weave their own futures.
Eladio’s textiles were a bridge from the past, and a celebration of Guatemala’s indigenous traditions. His creations were recognized for their artistic excellence and for their deep connection to the soul of the country. Throughout his life, he visited every corner of Guatemala, from the highlands to the lowlands, learning from his country’s people, sharing in their wisdom, and witnessing the diversity of designs that make Guatemala’s textiles so unique.
Eladio opened his workshop in 1990. His success ultimately helped sustain a community of artisans. Even in the face of adversity, when market shifts threatened to take away his livelihood, Eladio adapted. NOVICA became part of Eladio’s success story, and where he was able to introduce his work to appreciative customers around the globe.
Eladio’s designs spoke of mountains, rivers, and skies, of the struggles and triumphs of the indigenous communities, and of the rich, vibrant history that defines Guatemala. The beauty of his work set him apart, as did his humanity. Eladio’s heart was as vast as the landscapes he loved. His generosity of spirit was matched only by his love for his country and its people.
As we remember Eladio, we mourn the loss of a great artisan, and of a man whose life embodied the essence of Guatemala itself. His legacy will endure in the textiles he created, in the students he taught, and in the families he helped support, and in the weaving traditions that he helped to preserve.
Thank you, Eladio, for sharing your gift with us. Your hands may have woven the threads of fabric, but your great spirit wove the beautiful threads of your region into the hearts and homes of admirers around the world.
Explore and purchase Eladio’s Chiroy’s traditional textiles here.
