The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 17, 2026

A vertically oriented cotton and reverse appliqué textile features two stacked rectangular panels with a black background and vibrant red, yellow, and blue embroidery. In each, a large figure on our left holds a staff attached to a flag reading "PARTIDO LIBERAL." Above them, a border encloses the words "VICE PRESIDENTE." On our right, four smaller figures in profile face our left. Bold, multicolored outlines and rows of dots define the geometric silhouettes.

Liberal Party Political Mola Panels (pair)

mid-1980s

Republic of Panamá, Gunayala Comarca, Guna people

cotton: reverse appliqué, appliqué, embroidery
Overall: 67.3 x 44.5 cm (26 1/2 x 17 1/2 in.)
Gift of Jeanne Marie Stumpf, Ph.D. 2010.801
Location: Not on view

Description

Guna women gained the right to vote in 1946 when Panamá granted universal suffrage. Sewing political molas provides a unique way to comment on national elections. These panel pairs, cut from two blouses, mark a turbulent time in Panamá’s history: in 1984, the Partido Liberal (Liberal Party) supported the dictator Manuel Noriega, who came to power through fraudulent elections. Guna attitudes toward Noriega may have varied, but they ultimately revolted against his regime after he established a military zone in their territory.
  • Fashioning Identity: Mola Textiles of Panamá. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 22, 2020-January 9, 2022).
  • {{cite web|title=Liberal Party Political Mola Panels (pair)|url=false|author=|year=mid-1980s|access-date=17 April 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2010.801