About
I am Chitphavan, an artist from Sam Neua, Huaphan in the Northern part of Laos. My mom taught me to weave when I was just five years old. As the only girl in my family, it was my role to continue this cherished skill. When I was ten, my family moved to Vientiane, where I began using my weaving to earn money for my education. I bought my own textbooks and paid for my tuition from the fourth grade onwards.
I woke up at 4 AM every day to weave, a practice I continued until I finished high school. Following my mother's traditional belief that higher education wasn't necessary for a woman, I stopped attending school. Although my studies ended, I never stopped weaving. Instead, I continued to earn money to support my two younger brothers so they could both complete their bachelor's degrees.
In 2009, I met my husband, a Japanese man working in Laos. With a small budget, I managed to save and build my very own loom.
Once I had my own loom, I embarked on a devoted exploration of the craft. I began accumulating experiences, honing my practices, and fearlessly trying out new things, driven by the ambition to weave a true masterpiece. While pursuing that goal, every resulting textile I produced developed a unique character and undeniable charm. This distinctive quality quickly circulated among leading artists and serious silk collectors. I have been offered prestigious invitations to showcase my products at significant events in Laos and on the international stage. Having achieved this level of recognition, I had officially become the artist, Chitphavanh.