This artwork has a cream/white background and can be customized if you are looking for a different shade.
Size of the artwork is around 38 * 38 Inches (approximate) including frame. No glass covering but just on a stretched canvas and it looks very classy and elegant.
The Story of Amate Paper:
Amate paper is not just a surface for art — it is a living fragment of history, culture, and human devotion. Originating in pre-Hispanic Mexico, this paper has been lovingly crafted by indigenous communities for centuries, long before the arrival of modern tools or machines. Its roots are woven into rituals, traditions, and the daily lives of the people who made it, and to this day, it continues to sustain their heritage and livelihood.
The making of amate begins humbly, with the bark of fig and mulberry trees gathered from the surrounding forests. This is not a mechanical harvest; it is an act of reverence. Families who carry the knowledge of this craft ensure the trees are never destroyed, only carefully stripped so that they may continue to grow. Each strip of bark is soaked in water, then slowly boiled with ash or lime to soften the fibers. This process, though simple in appearance, carries within it the patience of generations who have learned to respect the rhythms of nature.
Once softened, the fibers are meticulously pounded by hand using stones, a practice that has changed little in a thousand years. Each strike embeds history into the pulp — the echoes of ancestors who once made the same steady motions to prepare surfaces for sacred codices, ceremonial offerings, and symbols of communication. The artisans arrange the pulp into sheets, their skilled hands guiding the fibers into delicate interlacing patterns. What emerges is a sheet of paper unlike any other: textured, organic, and breathing with the character of the earth itself.
Every sheet of amate bears the imprint of human care. No two are ever identical; each one tells its own quiet story through subtle variations in grain, thickness, and shade. The paper is not flat and lifeless — it is alive with texture, warmth, and soul, making it a remarkable foundation for paintings, calligraphy, or cherished keepsakes.
For the communities who keep this tradition alive — often women and families working together in remote villages — amate is not only an art form but also a means of survival. By continuing this ancient practice, they preserve their cultural identity while also sustaining their households. Every sheet that leaves their hands carries the dignity of work well done, the pride of heritage, and the hope of continuity.
Today, when you hold a piece of amate paper, you are holding more than a material. You are holding centuries of resilience, creativity, and devotion to craft. You are touching a surface that connects ancient civilizations to the present day. And by choosing amate, you are also choosing to honor the artisans who, with meticulous care and unbroken tradition, continue to create something that sustains both spirit and livelihood.
Susurros de Papel
Care Instructions for Amate Paper Artworks
Amate paper is a living material — organic, breathy, and steeped in ancestral craftsmanship. To preserve its unique texture and integrity, we recommend the following:
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Display in a dry, shaded environment
Keep away from direct sunlight or areas with high humidity. Excessive exposure to UV light can cause discoloration, while moisture may alter the natural fibers. -
Frame with UV-protective glass or acrylic
When possible, use archival framing materials to shield the piece from dust, light, and environmental fluctuations. -
Avoid contact with oils or damp hands
The paper’s surface is uncoated and absorbent. Always handle with clean, dry hands or cotton gloves. -
Do not roll, fold, or apply pressure
Amate retains memory of movement. Creasing or compressing may cause irreversible changes to the fibers. -
Clean gently, if needed
Use a soft, dry brush to remove dust. Do not use water, solvents, or sprays of any kind.
This piece was made slowly and intentionally. Let it be lived with the same reverence — not as a fragile object, but as a tactile echo of time, bark, and breath.
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