Weaving Spiritual Stories: The Art of Beadwork with Mateo Correa

Discover how a master beadworker blends ancient traditions, personal transformation, and global recognition through intricate, meaningful designs.

Beadwork is more than just an art form—it’s a rich cultural tradition that connects people to their heritage, the natural world, and, for some artists, the spirit realm. One such artist, Mateo Correa, is a master beadworker whose creations are not only visually stunning but also deeply rooted in spirituality and history. Through his intricate designs, Mateo is able to transmit stories, prayers, and ancestral knowledge, one bead at a time.

What is Beadwork?

At its core, beadwork is the craft of using small, often colorful beads to create beautiful designs. These beads, made from materials such as glass, clay, or metal, are woven or sewn into patterns to form jewelry, decorations, and intricate artwork. The practice has existed for centuries and is found in various cultures around the world, each with its unique techniques and meanings. In Latin American cultures, beadwork is often referred to as Shakira (in Colombia and Mexico) or Mujus(in Ecuador), while in other parts of the world, beadwork has been central to storytelling, rituals, and celebrations.

For Mateo Correa, beadwork is more than a craft; it’s a spiritual practice. His journey into beadwork began 17 years ago, during his first year at the National University of Colombia, where he was studying history. It was in this time of intellectual and personal exploration that Mateo encountered the profound medicine of ayahuasca. In a ceremony that would change his life, he drank the sacred plant medicine and received a vision that opened his mind to beadwork. This experience connected him to the art form in a way that felt divinely guided, as though the medicine itself was teaching him the ancient art of weaving beads.

In the space of that ceremony, Mateo saw patterns and movements that would shape his future. He watched others adorned in glass beads—Shakira, as they are called in Colombia—and felt an overwhelming pull to this form of expression. From that moment, he began his journey into beadwork, initially without any teachers, relying instead on his own intuition and the guidance of the medicine. Through trial and error, watching the beads unfold before him, he became self-taught, though he acknowledges that the true teachings came from the spirit of the medicine itself.

Beadwork and Spirituality

What makes Mateo’s beadwork truly unique is its connection to spirituality. As he explains, each piece he creates is not just a work of art but a prayer, a meditation, and a story. Beadwork, for Mateo, is a sacred language—a way of transmitting knowledge and wisdom from one generation to the next. Just as ancient cultures used weaving to tell their histories, Mateo channels his creativity into each piece, using colors, patterns, and textures to communicate powerful messages.

Through his beadwork, Mateo connects to something deeper than himself. The ayahuasca medicine that opened his mind during his first ceremony continues to inform his work. As he explains, the plant medicine has the power to create new neural pathways in the brain, allowing him to access deeper layers of creativity and intuition. In his words, “With the medicine, you can see many things that you don’t see in your everyday life.” Each bead, each pattern, becomes a vessel for spiritual insight, and every design is imbued with meaning. Whether it’s a prayer, a meditation, or a sacred offering, Mateo’s beadwork is a tool for transmitting ancient wisdom and healing energy.

In his work, Mateo merges the wisdom of his heritage with the visions he receives during spiritual ceremonies. The result is a dynamic interplay of history, culture, and personal transformation. As Mateo puts it, beadwork is like writing with textiles—it’s a medium for transmitting thoughts and stories, just as ancient civilizations did with hieroglyphics or cave paintings. The beads become vessels, carrying the stories of the past and prayers for the future.

Mateo’s Global Recognition

Mateo’s exceptional talent has earned him international recognition. He has showcased his beadwork in prestigious venues around the world, from South Korea to India, Lebanon, Bolivia, and beyond. Notably, he presented a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, crafted entirely from beads to the Gandhi Museum in New Delhi, India. Mateo’s work has also graced exhibitions in the Lebanese American University and the Catholic University of Chile, where he has taught workshops and shared the transformative power of beadwork.

His travels have allowed him to connect with diplomats, artists, and cultural leaders, promoting the idea that Colombia is a country rich in art, history, and creativity. Mateo’s beadwork is not just an expression of personal artistry, but a cultural ambassador, bridging the gap between Colombia and the world.

Beadwork: A Craft Anyone Can Learn

While Mateo’s creations may seem complex and daunting, he insists that beadwork is easy to learn. The basic steps—placing a thread, adding a bead, and returning the needle—are simple to master with practice. The challenge, he says, lies in the design, as crafting intricate patterns requires patience, skill, and a deep understanding of visual harmony.

For those interested in exploring beadwork, Mateo offers workshops and resources to help beginners get started. With a little guidance, anyone can learn to create beautiful, meaningful pieces of art. Whether as a hobby or a spiritual practice, beadwork offers a way to connect with one’s inner creativity while honoring cultural traditions.

The Future of Beadwork

As Mateo continues to share his art with the world, his mission remains clear: to keep the ancient tradition of beadwork alive while using it as a tool for personal and collective healing. Each piece he creates is a meditation, a prayer, and an offering to the world. For Mateo, beadwork is not just about beauty; it’s about transmitting love, wisdom, and spiritual energy to those who encounter it.

If you’d like to explore Mateo’s creations, you can find his work on Instagram (@TejidosChakana) or reach out to him directly through WhatsApp (number available on Insta). Whether you’re a collector or a budding artist, Mateo’s beadwork is sure to inspire and connect you to a deeper, more meaningful practice of creation.

Through beadwork, Mateo Correa is weaving not only beautiful designs but also a more connected, spiritually aware world.

The Takeaway

Mateo Correa’s beadwork is more than just an art form—it’s a spiritual practice that connects past, present, and future through intricate designs. Inspired by his deep cultural roots and spiritual experiences, particularly the transformative influence of ayahuasca, Mateo weaves stories, prayers, and ancestral wisdom into every piece he creates. Recognized internationally for his craft, he teaches others that beadwork is not only a powerful way to express creativity but also a meaningful way to transmit knowledge and energy across generations. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a beginner, Mateo’s work invites you to discover the transformative beauty of beadwork.