Quipu, Knotting Memories

This special textile experience in a private atelier fuses ancestral Andean traditions with arts and crafts. Alexandra "Alegra" Grau specializes in quipu art — a practice inspired by the record-keeping system of the Inca Kingdom and other Andean civilizations and cultures. While the quipu (also spelled khipu) once served as a means of storing data in a system of knotted cords, Alegra has reimagined the practice as a modern, unique art form. Upon arrival, you will be greeted warmly with an artisanal spread paired with Peruvian coffee. Alegra will explain her work as an artist and share how these knots were used as a form of communication and accountancy in a time when the written word did not exist. You will then partake in making your own one-of-a-kind quipu (travel-friendly size) to take home, as Alegra shares her stories. Alegra also explains how profits from her work as an artist go toward a non-profit she founded, which supports children in Peru with muscular dystrophy.

This experience combines storytelling, history, material exploration, and hands-on crafting. Starting with a curated coffee and artisanal pairing, you'll share a moment of calmness and connection with the artist as she explains the fascinating heritage of the quipu and how she has reinterpreted it as art. As Alegra mentors you in tying knots using ancestral Andean techniques, you will create a symbolic language to mark your own personal memories, significant dates, and emotions. These types of details are woven into your quipu, making it deeply personal and unique to yourself (or the recipient, if you prefer to gift your quipu to a loved one). Alegra's workshop is designed as a rare and personal encounter with ancestral textile language within a working artist's space. The activity is suitable for those with no artistic background — she makes art accessible to all. You will leave with the quipu you made and a deeper understanding of a chapter of Peru's history.

Alexandra "Alegra" Grau is a Peruvian artist whose work reinterprets the ancient Andean tradition of the quipu through a modern artistic lens. Drawing on the knotted cord systems once used by the Inca for communication, record-keeping, and storytelling, Alegra creates intricate textile works that explore memory, identity, ancestry, and cultural continuity. Her practice combines traditional techniques with contemporary conceptual art, transforming fibers into sculptural pieces that connect Peru's pre-Columbian heritage with present-day conversations around history and Indigenous knowledge. Alegra uses organic raw materials — natural fibers dyed with ancient techniques and recycled items including driftwood — for her creations. She also founded a non-profit that provides wheelchairs and care to Peruvian children with muscular dystrophy — a condition her son lives with but that has not prevented him from achieving his dream to become a musician.

A tote bag for carrying your quipu home after the session. Consider any special dates, moments, or emotions you may want to encode into your quipu — Alegra will help you translate them into knots. Please let Alegra know of any dietary restrictions or allergies via Fernwayer Chat ahead of your visit.