“I believe when someone wants to do something, it’s possible,” says Sosa, giving credit to the encouragement of his life partner and artistic champion, Karen McLean, an artist, photographer and educator.

WHYY - PBS

ARTIST STATEMENT

Through my weaving, I bring to life my dreams, memories, and the diverse cultural influences that shape my journey in the United States. My work is a bridge between past and future, preserving the rich traditions of my Guatemalan heritage while expressing my evolving aspirations.

Each textile I create requires at least 100 hours of meticulous weaving—a slow, rhythmic process that continues a craft practiced for over a thousand years. In a world driven by speed and automation, this ancient art form is at risk of being lost. Through every thread, I seek to honor its history, celebrate its beauty, and share the depth of time, dedication, and love woven into each piece. And above all, the joy!

ABOUT ARMANDO SOSA

Armando Sosa is a Master Weaver whose handwoven textiles are a vibrant tribute to his Guatemalan heritage. His brilliantly colored tapestries weave together symbols and imagery drawn from dreams, memories, and the rich traditions of his homeland. Infused with both religious and secular iconography, his designs reflect his deep connection to Mayan and pre-Columbian culture, alongside influences from African textiles, European Jacquard patterns, and Renaissance tapestries.

Born in 1953 in the rural town of Salcajá, nestled in the Guatemalan Highlands, Armando was immersed in the art of weaving from an early age. His father was a weaver, and one of his first childhood tasks was to guard freshly dyed threads laid out to dry along the riverbank—protecting them from wandering cattle. By the age of eight, he was spinning and dyeing thread, and at fifteen, he began his formal apprenticeship, weaving shawls and garments on a simple four-harness loom. A year later, he moved to Guatemala City, where he first worked with a compound-harness loom, expanding his technical expertise.

Between 1970 and 1980, Armando traveled extensively throughout Latin America and the western United States, exhibiting his work and demonstrating traditional Guatemalan weaving techniques. His deep appreciation for textile traditions, combined with his evolving artistry, established him as a recognized figure in the weaving community.

In 1993, he relocated to the Princeton, New Jersey, area, where he found inspiration and encouragement from local artists. With a renewed passion, he returned to the loom, constructing four large, intricate looms entirely from memory. Today, Armando continues his craft on two hand-built wooden looms, including a monumental six-by-six-by-eight-foot loom with forty-nine harnesses and 1,360 threads across. His textiles, woven with silk, mercerized cotton, and metallic threads, are a testament to his extraordinary skill and artistic vision.

Armando Sosa’s work is a bridge between past and present, tradition and innovation—a vivid celebration of culture, craftsmanship, and the enduring beauty of woven art.

To make an appointment for a custom commission or a studio tour, please visit our Contact Page!