Woven Histories: The Interplay of Textile Traditions and Contemporary Art
Textiles, one of the earliest human technologies, have long been integral to our daily lives and cultural practices, reflecting human evolution and innovation. In prehistoric times, spinning fibers from plants and animals into yarn, followed by weaving, knitting, and crocheting, were crucial for both survival and artistry. Women, in particular, perpetuated these traditions, creating items that were not only practical but also imbued with identity, memory, and community.
Despite its significance, textile creation is often overlooked as a fundamental technology, even though it predates other advancements like metalworking or pottery. The simple act of twisting plant fibers into threads and inventing the loom transformed how humans clothed and sheltered themselves, facilitating the rise of complex societies. In ancient cultures, textiles connected the practical with the sacred, carrying stories, traditions, and sometimes spiritual meaning, as explored by Dr. Elizabeth Wayland Barber in her work on ancient textiles.
In my artistic practice, the early experiences of threadwork passed down from my grandmother and her artisan friends form a profound connection to this legacy. Learning to crochet and knit from her hands provided me with a tactile understanding of creating, which I now explore through textiles both as material and metaphor. This insight permeates my research, using fabric as a medium to investigate personal and collective histories.
Projects like *sobre|posto: uma poética fotográfica* delve into temporal and spatial overlays, akin to the threads of fabric, layering time, memory, and experience through photography and digital techniques. Similarly, *As Guardiãs de Ibarama* connects the work of women preserving heirloom seeds with the often invisible labor of women in textile traditions. These women, akin to the keepers of thread in ancient times, are custodians of life and knowledge, ensuring continuity across generations.
Both projects examine how traditional and digital practices coexist and inform each other. The tactile knowledge I gained early on resonates in my contemporary image-making, where analog techniques merge with digital possibilities. Whether through ink layering in printmaking or digital photograph manipulation, my work explores textiles’ enduring significance as a metaphor for human experience. The threads of history, memory, and identity intertwine, continuously weaving and reweaving our shared story.
As I continue to develop my artistic research, these observations will guide me in exploring how traditional and digital practices can blend and enrich each other. My future work will focus on the intersection of textile practices and modern technologies, reflecting the complexities of memory, identity, and cultural continuity, weaving together the fabric of our collective narrative.
