Biography
Noqanchis is an art collective created in 2021 by Alipio Melo, Danitza Willka and María José Murillo. Rooted in the essence of Andean weaving, their purpose is to intertwine their worldview and experiences as contemporary textile artists, revive and reclaim traditional weaving, and empower the local community.
Meaning ‘all of us’ in Quechua, noqanchis is an inclusive ‘us’, different from noqayku, which is restrictive. Unlike western languages, Quechua employs the same root for ‘I’ (noqa) and ‘us’ (noqanchis, noqayku), revealing the inseparable bond between the individual and the community in the construction of Andean identity.
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Murillo, María José
María José Murillo is an artist and researcher whose practice lies at the intersection of textile art, academia and societal engagement.