Feliciana Hernández Bautista: Feathers, Fiber, and a Family Legacy from Ahuirán

In the pine-covered highlands of Ahuirán, Michoacán, the traditional rebozo is more than just a garment—it is a living connection to the Purépecha past. And at the heart of this vibrant tradition stands Feliciana Hernández Bautista, an award-winning textile artist known for her richly woven shawls adorned with hand-applied feathers. But she is not working alone. Her grandson, Gilberto Hernández Bautista, is now walking beside her, continuing the legacy as a new voice in the family’s artistic lineage.

Feliciana began weaving at age 10 under the guidance of her grandmother, Martina Caballero Romero, inheriting generations of knowledge about backstrap loom weaving, natural dyes, and traditional fringe finishing. By the time she was 18, she was innovating—adding feathers to her rebozos, a bold and delicate technique that would become her signature.
Each piece she creates is a work of deep intention. The process begins with cotton or silk threads dyed from natural pigments. Once woven and fringed, the rebozo is finished with rooster, pheasant, or goose feathers—carefully arranged by hand. The result is a textile full of movement, storytelling, and texture—a piece of wearable heritage that speaks to Purépecha culture and identity.
Her feathered rebozos have earned her state-level awards and have been featured at exhibitions in Mexico City, Morelia, Coyoacán, and even Milan, Italy. One of her feathered capes was famously worn by actor Tenoch Huerta at Milan Fashion Week and at the Morelia International Film Festival, sparking international attention.
Feliciana’s designs have also gained visibility through media and social platforms. Mexican host Andrea Legarreta praised her work publicly, urging people to value artisan creations and avoid bargaining down prices—a call to honor the time, skill, and cultural meaning embedded in every handmade piece.
In 2023, Feliciana took a crucial step to protect her art by registering her own artisan trademark—after a commercial designer attempted to reproduce one of her pieces without permission. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of defending Indigenous intellectual property, especially in a world that too often imitates without acknowledging its sources.

But perhaps her greatest contribution is in how she has passed on her knowledge. Today, she teaches not only her daughters and granddaughters, but also her grandson, Gilberto Hernández Bautista, who has become her close collaborator. Gilberto works by her side at the loom and in exhibitions, learning the rhythms of the craft while developing his own creative voice. Together, they represent both the preservation and evolution of the Purépecha textile tradition.

Feliciana and Gilberto Hernández Bautista embody a living heritage rooted in Ahuirán and woven into each feathered rebozo. Their work is not just a craft, but a shared legacy, passed from one generation to the next with pride, patience, and purpose.

Feria Maestros del Arte 2024, 2025

ARTIST INFORMATION

Calle 5 de mayo 89 Ahuiran,

Paracho, Michoacán 60264
cel Whatsapp 452 190 4225

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