Interweaving Nature and traditional crafts with Vanessa Barragão
“Respect for nature.
Passion for tradition.”
Vanessa Barragão is a textile artist based in Portugal. She grew up in the southern seaside town of Albufeira, which cultivated in her a love of the ocean and a passion for the natural world. At the heart of Vanessa’s work are three guiding principles; using offcuts and upcycling waste materials, following ancestral techniques to hand make her pieces, and always being guided by her love and respect for the natural world.
Much of her work focuses on coral reefs, and the devastating effect of ocean warming. She considers her work a ‘call to action’, and whilst pieces like ‘Bleached Coral’ are stark warnings of the fragile state of our oceans, she counters this with pieces like ‘Coral Garden,’ which offer hope and guide us to make more sustainable choices.
Vanessa shared with us the spontaneity of her creation process, and how she hopes her work can inspire people to live happier, more nature-filled lives.
Tell us about your creative process. How do you start your creations? When do you know one is finalized?
My creative process is very spontaneous. My inspiration comes from nature. I love to spend time in places with almost no human impact to feel the energy and the power of nature. The organicity, the sounds, the simplicity and the peace present there is the most inspiring thing for me and here is where my process starts. In nature we have all the answers and that's magic!
In my studio I choose colors that attract me more and I start creating with freedom. My pieces take some days to get finished, so during this process sometimes I add more colors or more techniques, always depending on my instincts. I just see the artwork when It gets finished, I love that it is always a surprise at the end.
The final part of the process is when I look at the artwork and let it speak to me. It's a moment to bring to my consciousness what my unconscious knitted in the piece.
Vanessa Barragão photographed by Hugo Macedo
Your passion is handmade crafts using techniques that have been really decreasing in Portugal. Historically, crafts are in a low position on the cultural hierarchy also because they are much more linked to women. Do you feel your work is also rewiring the system in this sense?
One of my main goals with my work is to inspire people to create and get closer to what makes them happier and be in love with their lives. I believe this way the world can change for a better home for all beings.
I look at my work as a combination of craft, art and design. I cannot say that it’s only one thing because it isn’t and I am totally fine with that. For some people I know it is difficult to understand and accept this concept, but that’s my way, my process and I am so happy with that. I feel very connected with my essence mixing those three areas to create...
What have your creations taught you about botanicals and what has botanicals taught you about your creations?
My work put me more in contact with nature. I have observed so much more in detail since I started my work. In nature I can explore my thoughts and find all the answers for my life, it’s fascinating.
Nature gives me so much and with my work I try to give back all the credit nature deserves.
Vanessa Barragão photographed by Claudia Gori for DHG
Vanessa Barragão photographed by Claudia Gori for DHG II
You mentioned in another interview that you are deeply inspired by Ernst Haeckel, someone who married the arts and science and founded ecology. Do you see a lot of parallels between your art pieces and his illustrations?
I was inspired in part by Ernst Haeckel for my last collection. I love his drawings and the way he is also inspired by nature in his creative process, which I believe to be somewhat similar to mine. This particularity motivated me to get to know more about his work - both his drawings and the color compositions he uses which are incredible.
What is the ultimate message you wish to pass to people with your creations?
With my artwork, I intend to cultivate a more conscious human footprint in nature. And inspire people to create and live their lives in a state of permanent love.
Follow Vanessa’s work on @vanessabarragao_work or on her website vanessabarragao.com.
Five Flower Lake Total by Vanessa Barragão photographer by Claudia Gori for DHG II