Quipu, Knotting Memories

This highly personalized textile experience in a private Barranco atelier fuses ancestral Andean traditions with contemporary arts and crafts. Alexandra "Alegra" Grau is one of the few artists specializing in Quipu art — a practice inspired by the record-keeping system of the Incas and other Andean civilizations. 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 an art form. As you sip Peruvian coffee and tuck into artisanal nibbles, Alegra will explain how these knots were used for communication and accountancy in a time when the written word did not exist. You will then work collaboratively to design your own one-of-a-kind Quipu; this is a high-quality piece of artwork akin to that found in galleries and boutique hotels, which will last a lifetime. Alegra also explains how her profits support a non-profit she and her son founded, supporting Peruvian children with muscular dystrophy.

This experience combines storytelling, cultural 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 Alegra as she unravels 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 essentially create a symbolic language to mark your own personal memories and significant dates. These 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 your completed Quipu, a priceless piece of art, and a deeper understanding 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 transporting your Quipu after the session. A list of special dates that will be encoded into your Quipu. **Please inform Alegra of any dietary restrictions or allergies via Fernwayer Chat in advance. **Two friendly cats share Alegra's atelier: please inform her if you have an allergy.