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Vanessa Barragão Discusses Fiber Art Practice and Environmental Focus

artist · 2026-03-14

Portuguese textile artist Vanessa Barragão, born in 1992, creates large-scale sculptural rugs and tapestries inspired by marine environments and coral reefs. In an interview, she explained that her artistic journey began in childhood with crochet lessons from her grandmothers and was shaped by her connection to the sea. Barragão emphasizes sustainable practices, using discarded materials to reduce waste and foster creativity. Her work, including pieces like 'Perpétua' which honors family bonds, aims to evoke calm and connection with nature. She is currently developing a new experimental collection and advises emerging artists to embrace the creative process and learn from mistakes.

Key facts

  • Vanessa Barragão is a Portuguese fiber artist born in 1992.
  • She creates large-scale sculptural rugs and tapestries inspired by the ocean and coral reefs.
  • Her practice focuses on sustainability, using recycled materials to minimize waste.
  • Barragão learned crochet from her grandmothers as a child, influencing her artistic development.
  • She is working on a new experimental collection and encourages emerging artists to enjoy the creative process.

Entities

Artists

  • Vanessa Barragão

Locations

  • Portugal

Sources