• MUSEUM QUALITY
• TEXTILES:
•      Silk Ceremonial Blankets
•      Silk Shaman Cloths
•      Silk Healing Cloths
•      Silk Shawls & Scarves
•      Skirts & Material
•      Tribal Clothing
•      Shoulder Bags
•      Household Textiles
•      Textile Hangers
• BASKETRY:
•      Carrying
•      Storage
•      Small
• SPIRITUAL ART:
•      Masks
•      Ceremonial Objects
•      Religious Attire
• TOOLS & TOYS:
•      Village Tools
•      Toys
• JEWELRY:
•      Earrings
•      Necklaces
•      Accessories
• ARCHIVES

Josh, Ari, Maren and Zall standing on two jars at a Plain of Jars site, Xieng Khuang Province, Laos. Trekking in Lao Cai Province, Vietnam, with our Black Hmong guide, Sho. Zall and Ari doing homework by firelight at a homestay in Lao Cai Province, Vietnam.

About Us

Above the Fray: Traditional Hilltribe Art is owned by Maren Beck and Josh Hirschstein of Eugene, Oregon. Maren and Josh, along with their two teenage children, Ari and Zall, have traveled extensively in southeast Asia studying textile art and the other tribal arts of the region. The family has had the unique pleasure of making good friends with many artists and others in villages in Laos and Vietnam during our travels.

We have been particularly smitten with the character, beauty, resourcefulness and art of the people in the remote mountainous regions of Laos and Vietnam. In Laos, we have spent considerable time exploring Houaphon, Xieng Khuang, and Luang Prabang Provinces in the north (renowned for quality silk weaving), as well as Sekong, Salavan and Attapeu Provinces in the south. In Vietnam, we have explored the northern mountainous provinces of Lai Chau, Lao Cai, and Ha Giang as well as the Central Highlands around Kontum.

In these regions are dozens of unique tribal cultures, each with unique beliefs, traditions, languages, and forms of artistic expression. Exploring these regions, visiting with the people, and understanding and sharing their beautiful and intricate art has become our passion. Stories about our travel and the artists we meet, including adventures written by Ari and Zall, can be found in our quarterly newsletters.

Maren, who grew up in a house full of looms, has always loved textiles and color-play. Woven and other ornamental arts, especially those born from the Buddhist and animist traditions of the hilltribe people of Southeast Asia, resonate deeply with her. After receiving a her degree from Wellesley College, she first visited Southeast Asia with future-husband Josh in 1983. She's been smitten – with travel, hand-woven textile art, and Josh - ever since. She also enjoys leading weaver's workshops on Lao and Vietnamese hilltribe textiles and their motifs.

Josh offers support and advice regarding the selection of fabrics and other arts, and, along with Ari and Zall, assists in getting ourselves into, and out of, hilltribe villages. Josh began his career teaching high school English in Seattle and ESL in Kathmandu, Nepal. He received an M.A. in Education from U.C. Berkeley and now shares his professional time operating a private educational service in Eugene. Josh and Maren met in 1977 at The Lakeside School in Seattle as 'cello stand partners in high school string ensemble.

Ari will be attending Earlham College as a freshman in Fall, 2011 – we will miss his assistance, cheer, and social talents.

Our photographer and child-sherpa, Zall, attends South Eugene High School.

All the text and photos on this website were written or taken by Maren, Josh, Ari and Zall.

Maren hiking down the trail with her newly acquired Akha basket near Muong Long, Laos.	Zall, Sukavit, and Ari in a group hug with one of Sukavit’s beautiful shawls in Houaphan Province, Laos.
	Ari, Maren, Josh, andour guide Kaiphet negotiating with a basket maker in Houaphon Province, Laos.

Waiting for our next ride to appear in Khammuan Province, Laos.