In Memoriam Miriam Munguia
Miriam Munguia embroidering in the CE1 studio in 2018. Photo by Brian Nguyen
Miriam Munguia was born in 1955 in Honduras and first became a CE artist in 2013. She passed away in October 2021.
Over the last year, Munguia was very active in her textile practice at home and was longing to return to the CE1 studio when it reopened. She would often sew seven days a week and needed to constantly work on new projects “to be happy,” noted teaching artist Pilar Olabarria.
This desire led Munguia to participate in many large collaborative artworks with fellow CE artists over the past two years – including collaborations with Vincent Jackson, Maribel Guzman, Steven Liu, Andrew Lee, and José Nuñez.
Munguia was deaf and used hand gestures and non-linguistic verbalizations to communicate. Munguia was highly expressive with her facial expressions and hand movements when letting others know how she was feeling or what she needed or wanted. No matter your relationship with her, she would go through great lengths to ensure her communications were landing – often she would reach for your hand get your attention or guide you to a newly finished piece in the studio.
Munguia was incredibly dedicated to her creative practice – weaving baskets, assembling complex figurative tapestries, or embroidering quilts with lyrical, meandering lines, and collaborating with fellow artists on large complex fiber-based projects. Much of her inspiration came from the people and environment around her at CE as well as memories of her hometown of Honduras.
Always eager to expand her artistic skills, Munguia’s growth and confidence as a multifaceted artist during her time at CE were apparent in her robust practice. Initially “unsure of herself in terms of her drawing abilities,” she eventually became comfortable with her own drawings to make quilts based on her own work, describes teaching artist Leeza Doreian, who worked closely with Munguia for over a year on a large tapestry.
Munguia’s beaming smile and sense of pride when showing off a finished work is what CE is all about. We will miss her energy, enthusiasm, and incredible spirit in the studio and gallery.
Munguia’s legacy will continue to live on through her art at Creativity Explored. Her work can be seen on display at Mode Brut at the Museum of Craft and Design through January 23, 2022.
Our STAFF AND COMMUNITY shared the following about MIRIAM:
“Some of my most cherished memories of Miriam are from our art viewing field trips into the community. Miriam was such a passionate person, and her curiosity about art and enthusiasm for being out in the world was such a joy to be around, and it was contagious.”
Miriam Munguia at SFMOMA on a CE field trip in early 2020. Photo courtesy Eric Larson
Loren King with Miriam Munguia during a studio party. Photo courtesy Michael Napper
“There are so many stories and wonderful memories I have of Miriam, from her incredible artistic discipline to her iron will to her laughter.
She was always one of the first up when it came to wishing one of our artists happy birthday. As exasperating as she could be at times, she had an outsized heart for her size.
It breaks my heart a little to think of the studio without her, but I try to remember how lucky she was to have had us at CE as her family.”
“The first time I met Miriam was at the artist lunch after our board orientation. After we ate, the board members introduced ourselves to artists, then it was time for an open mic. Several of the artists shared a warm welcome and then it was Miriam’s turn.
Watching Miriam express herself so beautifully, in her own way, was the first of many moments where I have felt deeply connected to the artists we serve and our mission. Her embroidery is vibrant and joyful. ”