Lady Mosquito

Susan Wagner has an intense personal interest in the rebirth of ancient embroidery techniques that have been handed down from one generation to the next by master artisans in different parts of Peru.

In various regions of the Peruvian Andes, local communities continue to explore and develop sensational embroidery, weaving, and other means of self-expression, inheriting traditions that date back to pre-Colombian times. All these communities share an intense pride in their styles and designs, producing a level of artistry that dazzles our Western eyes. They continue to follow ancestral traditions that vary from village to village but always evoke an intimate relationship with their natural surroundings, a connection that has endured for centuries.

Represented by supreme artistry, this quintessentially Andean world-view brings us ever closer to the land and the physical environment of past cultures, to the realities of their world – the cobalt skies, the hues of plants and flowers, the transcendent sun, and the shimmering white clouds they knew. We are only visitors here, but we are blessed by the opportunity to perceive what they knew.

As she draws on the sources of her inspiration, Susan is determined to repay her debt by ensuring a fair financial return for every artisan. This is the only way to generate sustainable employment and cooperation. By these means, she has succeeded in providing work for marginalized groups, including prison inmates both in Lima and elsewhere, giving them a sense of pride in themselves and also the prospect of economic development for their families.

This social and artistic project began nearly four years ago and now continues to grow, in tandem with an increasing variety of embroidery techniques and designs that distinguish the rich, ancient cultures of Peru.

Carried out on a small-scale basis in different communities across Peru, this devotion to high craftsmanship and painstaking handiwork is now winning both devotees and admiration throughout the world.