Silent conversations braid the invisible thread of womanhood.

We were honored to witness Mexican-American multimedia artist Danié Gomez-Ortigoza inside her braiding ceremony to celebrate the power of women.

Hi Danié How are you feeling today?


DANIÉ: I’m feeling grateful. It’s been an active year. I feel as if I’m making up for all the things I couldn’t do in 2020.

 
PULP: What is the meaning of braiding with intention and what inspired you to start this journey?

DANIÉ: Braiding with intention is the recognition that we are part of a collective, and that the sum of many is more relevant than the individual.

It’s a ritual that I started back in 2014 setting up a daily intention that was braided into my hair of how I could affect in a positive way the life of another woman by helping her succeed. Every intention is sealed by a knot. It started after I was asked to put together the Mexican delegation for the Women’s Forum for Economy and Society. The last day the women I had brought together asked me to braid their hair. It was so powerful. I had been braiding my hair since I was little. I started thanks to my grandmother and my indigenous nanny. I wasn’t raised by my mother, so that was my connection to the feminine. After taking part of this event, it became a daily ritual of thinking of the other as a part of myself. In time I started to realize how much energy was moved, and how much power there was in that shared experience of care for one another.

 

DANIÉ: I usually meditate in silence or listen to Deva Premal. I love Om Namo Bhagate. Also, I meditate as I braid. It’s so cathartical.
 

PULP: As a Mexican-American multimedia artist, what advice can you give to young artists?

DANIÉ: Never stop creating. Don’t fall into trends. All I can say is that being an artist is not a choice. I became an artist because life cornered me; I’m a very intuitive person and I’ve always felt too much. Art is the only language when it comes to expressing that. It’s also the most incredible portal into the human experience.
 

PULP: How can we find ways to embrace our full potential?

DANIÉ: It all goes back to our purpose, and understanding our purpose is the result of caving deep into our values. And values are in no way related to what’s good and what’s bad, it’s about the things that make us feel absolute joy. Those are all signs that guide us to understanding what we’re here for. Don’t get distracted by emotions. Focus on what all the synchronicities of your life are trying to tell you.
 

PULP: We know you’re a very passionate artist and a philanthropist. Can you tell us a little bit about your beautiful project, The Bazaar for Good.

DANIÉ: Martha Graeff and I started The Bazaar for Good as a platform dedicated to expanding the power of the collective. We realized all that social media could achieve for brands, and wanted to have the capacity to use that same space for initiatives that had a positive effect in the world. Last year we raised 420k for organizations around Latin America.

Our next event will take place on May 19th at The Design District. We are working with a beautiful network of influencers, and we're powered by brands who share our purpose and our vision. We ask brands to donate 30 pieces that are sold at great prices in this one day event.

All proceeds are donated to charities, and in exchange we provide the brand with a tax deductible receipt. We are working with Style Saves, which is Isabella Grutman and Rachael Russell’s organization this year. 

Camila Coelho is also a key ambassador for the cause.