Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami

Mola

Artist/Maker Guna people (Guna Yala, Panama)

Datelate 1940s-mid 1950s

Mediumdyed cotton and thread

DimensionsOverall: 15 × 18 in. (38.1 × 45.7 cm)

ClassificationsCostumes and Accessories

Credit LineGift of Dr. Ann Werlin Walzer in memory of Nadine Werlin Cain

Terms

Object number2006.40.30

On View

Not on view

Collections

Art of the Native Americas

DescriptionMany contemporary molas portray realistic or abstract designs based on plants and animals. Guna women also incorporate images from a wide variety of foreign cultural elements, including commercial product labels, magazines, cartoons, and other components from popular culture. In this mola, the artist drew inspiration not only from animals found around Guna Yala, but also from animals that are not typical of the area. In the center of the composition, two large figures are placed side by side. Based on the large ears and teeth, they appear to be rabbits with bushy tails. The rabbit on the left, being slightly smaller in stature, is likely female and the rabbit on the left male. Since rabbits are not native to Guna Yala, it is clear that the mola artist who created this work drew inspiration from elsewhere, possibly from personal travels, stories, photographs, magazines, or even Halloween masks. Similarly, the rabbits appear to be wearing sunglasses, a reference to the artist’s awareness of popular culture and an indicator of globalization taking place in this area. Surrounding the two rabbits are the heads of six birds. Many different species of birds can be found on Guna Yala and they are a common theme in molas, making this mola a perfect combination of tradition and modernization.