Molas are handmade textiles made by the Guna (formerly Kuna) tribe from the Guna Yala region of Panama (as well as a few other marginal areas in Panama and Colombia). Mola means ‘clothing’ in the Guna language. They are made of layers of brightly colored fabric, sewn together to form a front or back panel of a blouse. They are mainly (but not exclusively) made by girls and women, and many hours of work are put into each one. Women who make the molas do not distinguish between art and clothing – these are both.
A mola depicting a myth of a moon-eating serpent
Based in geometric shapes, molas might have developed out of the brightly colored body-painting of pre-Spanish colonization. The actual construction of a piece, called reverse appliqué, is a labor-intensive layering and then cutting away of fabric. The subject matter of them includes naturalistic elements, zoomorphic imagery, popular culture, advertising, monumental events and news, or simply anything that the maker found visually interesting.
Based in geometric shapes, molas might have developed out of the brightly colored body-painting of pre-Spanish colonization. The actual construction of a piece, called reverse appliqué, is a labor-intensive layering and then cutting away of fabric. The subject matter of them includes naturalistic elements, zoomorphic imagery, popular culture, advertising, monumental events and news, or simply anything that the maker found visually interesting.
When framing a mola, most people want to see the uneven edges, where they were cut from the shirts. At the edges you can often see some of the layers involved in its origination. We sew the whole thing down, usually to a fabric mat board. We then house it under glass with spacers, so the piece is protected, yet can breathe. These are framed with Museum Glass- which offers complete clarity, glare reduction and 99% UV protection. Bring any textiles you have that require framing to us- it is a great way to protect them AND show them off. Prints Unlimited has over 35 years of experience framing textiles.
A mola that depicts a folkloric story of a shaman with an owl coming out of his head
Mola depicting a native Guna ritual.
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