In an effort to remind ourselves how blessed we are during this holiday season, we’re highlighting incredible stories of artisans who channel pain, loss, and sorrow into works of exquisite beauty. Cristobal Ramirez is a rare vision in the art of transformation.
Cristobal’s mother was a casualty of the brutal civil war in Guatemala. He was sexually assaulted by the time he was eleven years old. But these wounds did not silence him. On the contrary, they breathed life into his work and his dreams.
He crafts elegant bracelets of handmade glass and colorful beads. Patterns and hues that recall the crashing waves of Lake Atitlan, where he grew up. Behind the detailed craftsmanship of his jewelry is an homage to his mother, who stared down intense poverty to raise her four children.
In his mother’s honor, he opens the doors of his workshop to women who want to work in order to support their families. He hires employees with disabilities to ensure that vulnerable populations have a fair shot at earning a livable wage.
When asked what motivates him to keep at it after so much hardship, his answer is unwavering. “[It] is something that comes from inside me,” he says. “It is love.” This holiday season, we hope some of that love makes its way from Cristobal’s workshop to you and your family. |
