ACTIVITY
Juan Sánchez is a specialist in making braid and stranded cord for esparto mats and blinds. Esparto blinds are typical of the centre and south of the Iberian Peninsula, given their function of protecting against heat.
He also makes and installs heather and wattle roofing, along… with many other craft artefacts to be found in his shop of esparto products in central Madrid.
When working with esparto he uses only his hands and stitching needles.
Juan’s involvement in this trade is due to family tradition. His grandfather opened the first esparto shop in Paseo de Urgel in 1927, and although the location has changed over the years, the business has been going ever since.
TRAINING
Juan Sánchez began learning the craft with his father at the age of 12, and has carried on learning in a self-taught way.
TEACHING
Occasionally in his shop he teaches esparto braiding. He advocates the continuance of this tradition and accordingly endeavours to pass on his knowledge of the techniques of the trade.
SELECTED WORK
Covering of the railings at the La Corrala Cultural Centre in Calle Carlos Arniches in Madrid
