Uruapan, Michoacán

The art of gourd carving has been practiced in Peru for more than 4,000 years, with artisans using gourds, or mates burilados, to tell both communal and personal stories. These beautiful painted gourds and plates can be representational or whimsical, with scenes depicting everyday life or bright floral patterns. These guaje maqueado (painted gourds) are handpicked then sanded smooth and painted with pigment paints. Erandine lives and works in Michoacán, putting a modern spin on this pre-Spanish technique.