Cristina Negria Teucama, Sinai and Panama City, Panama.

Cristina Negria Teucama is one of the most celebrated artists in Wounaan woven art. Originally from the rainforest village of Sinai in the Darién, Cristina now lives on the outskirts of Panama City. Her connection to the forest, and the artistry born there, remains central to her work.

Learning by watching

Cristina learned by watching. She observed the women in her village weaving, studying their hands, their patterns, their rhythm. Over the years, she developed her own voice. For more than two decades, she has created vivid depictions of butterflies, parrots, and macaws. Her baskets often feature large sweeping wings, curved leaves, and flocks of birds circling the form.

Of her three signature subjects, the butterfly is the most prolific. Cristina is best known for compositions of butterflies set between wavy vertical palms, a layout she has refined into something instantly recognizable as hers.

Cristina, Miriam, and Dalia

The Negria sisters — Dalia, Miriam, and Cristina Negria Teucama — are three master Wounaan basket weavers from Sinai, a remote village in Panama's Darién rainforest. About a decade ago much of the family moved to Chepo, near Panama City, so their children could continue past sixth grade in school. The sisters weave alongside their daughters, who carry the family signature into the next generation. Maricin Cheucarama Negria is Cristina's daughter.

Each sister has developed her own signature within the Wounaan tradition. Read more about her sister Dalia Negria.

— Jen