At 14,000 feet in the Andes of Peru, these weavers from the village of Acopia were taking the photographer Joe Coca to document one of the elders at a sacred lake up in the mountains. While waiting for potatoes to be roasted for lunch, they decided to start up a game of soccer. No brand name soccer apparel, but there were beautiful, traditional textiles to score a goal in. I was captured, captivated, entranced, enthralled by their unbridled joy. That is the human story I wanted to tell…..pure delight in the moment. Such exuberance in being alive.

Hand painted cottons, raw edge applique, hand embroidery, bamboo batting, free motion stitched.
The background design is based on traditional Peruvian weaving patterns.