Minneapolis Institute of Art Presents “An Indigenous Art: Huipiles from the Mia Collection”

Huipiles offer a window into Maya life and tradition

November 18, 2025

Minneapolis—The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) presents “An Indigenous Art: Huipiles from the Mia Collection,” an exhibition celebrating the artistry and cultural significance of the huipil, a traditional blouse worn by Indigenous women throughout Mesoamerica, particularly among the Maya. On view from February 14 through August 2, 2026, the exhibition features examples from a landmark gift of textiles from Dr. Richard Simmons and his wife, Dr. Roberta Grodberg.

Derived from the Nahuatl word huipil, these garments have been central to women’s lives in Maya communities since pre-Hispanic times. Each huipil is handwoven on a backstrap loom using two or three rectangular panels, which are joined and richly decorated with motifs that communicate identity, heritage, and community. Patterns, colors, and symbols serve as a visual language, revealing the wearer’s village, marital status, and social standing, while reflecting connections to nature and ancestors.

“This exhibition reveals how living traditions and Indigenous craftsmanship continue to connect generations across time,” said Valéria Piccoli, curator of the exhibition and Mia’s Ken and Linda Cutler Chair of the Arts of the Americas. “The huipil embodies resilience, artistry, and identity—each one is a personal expression and a collective inheritance.”

Featuring approximately 15 huipiles, the exhibition highlights works from the Simmons’ gift of more than 1,000 textiles, which greatly expanded Mia’s representation of global and Latin American cultures.

The makers of these textiles are unknown, but huipiles are traditionally woven and embroidered by women to be worn by women. The iconic artist Frida Kahlo frequently wore huipiles, making them a signature element of her distinctive style. Huipiles were also made to dress images of saints in local churches.

“These remarkable works of art remind us that creativity is not confined to galleries or studios—it flourishes in everyday life and continues to shape our sense of identity and belonging,” said Katie Luber, Nivin and Duncan MacMillan Director and President of Mia. “Through exhibitions like this, Mia celebrates the artistry of Indigenous women and the cultural threads that connect us all.”

The exhibition invites visitors to consider how clothing expresses identity across cultures and centuries. Displayed with care and context, the fragile, light-sensitive textiles offer a rare opportunity to see works that are not typically on view.

Exhibition Highlights

  • Woman’s ceremonial blouse (Huipil), 1900, Maya artist, Guatemala. Silk, cotton; discontinuous supplementary weft patterning, appliqué, embroidery. Gift of Richard L. Simmons in memory of Roberta G. Simmons, 95.116.17
  • Woman’s blouse (Huipil), 1930, Maya artist, Guatemala. Cotton, silk; discontinuous supplementary weft patterning. Gift of Richard Simmons, 98.273.43
  • Woman’s ceremonial blouse (Huipil), 1955–60, Maya artist, Guatemala. Cotton, silk; supplementary weft patterning, embroidery. Gift of Richard L. Simmons in memory of Roberta G. Simmons, 95.116.23

Exhibition Details

“An Indigenous Art: Huipiles from the Mia Collection” is organized by the Mia and curated by Valéria Piccoli, Ken and Linda Cutler Chair of the Arts of the Americas.

For more information on this and other upcoming exhibitions, visit www.artsmia.org.

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About the Minneapolis Institute of Art

Home to more than 100,000 works of art representing 5,000 years of world history, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) inspires wonder, spurs creativity, and nourishes the imagination. With extraordinary exhibitions and one of the finest art collections in the country—from all corners of the globe, from ancient to contemporary—Mia links the past to the present, enables global conversations, and offers an exceptional setting for inspiration. Learn more about Mia in our latest Impact Report.

General admission to Mia is always free, but some special exhibitions charge a nominal fee.

For more information, call + 1 612 870 3000 or visit www.artsmia.org. Everyone is welcome. Always.