Jean Anaya Moya

Traditional Hispanic Appliqué With a Twist

Jean Anaya Moya, a fourth-generation artist from Galisteo, New Mexico has been working with the traditional Hispanic art form of straw appliqué since 1996. Each appliqué is made up of soft pine, homemade gesso, wheat straw, corn husk, and natural pigment. Commercial glues, varnish, and acrylic paints are introduced to assist with the longevity of the pieces.

A santera and straw apliqué artist, Moya innovates traditional Hispanic religious images by giving them a contemporary twist. “Through the years, I have always welcomed changes in Hispanic and Catholic traditions. Some change is always good as long as we never forget how we evolved. That is how I see my art in straw appliqué. In order for me to enjoy being an artist, I must always remember to be grounded to my roots, but be able to grow and accept change.

Jean Anaya Moya is nominated by the Museum of Spanish Colonial Arts to represent the United States.