Violeta Ortega-Navarrete (Mexico)

Bio

Born in Mexico City, her work has been mostly in the field of fibres and textiles. She has specialised in traditional techniques such as weaving, knitting, felting, embroidery among others. She works with materials such as wool, natural fibres and dyes to explore themes that may lead to reflection on how we could have more ethical relations with the environment. Violeta takes up these traditionally feminine techniques to address topics such as self-contemplation, the recognition of the sacred in nature, the ancestral wisdom heritage and the healing capacity of art, through the act of weaving and experimenting with materials. She studied Textile Design at the National Institute of Fine Arts, and Hispanic Literature at the National University of Mexico.

Project

Organic web
Textile installation

The installation intends to reflect on continuity, as a concept opposed to separation. With the idea of being able to perceive ourselves as part of life and what exists on the planet where everything is connected. In a continuity that raises on the one hand the equality in the value of the existence of life, whether plant, animal or human life and on the other hand the “natural origin” of the objects that surround us, thinking that our objects, clothes, inorganic waste, tools, houses … can be considered on the same level as the tools and objects created by other animals.

It is made of multiple chains of wool, hanging, tightened or simply resting on the ground, extending. These allude to organic forms of non-human construction such as animal cocoons, nests, spider webs, roots & organic structures in general. With the idea of respecting the environment, reducing the impact of our lives on the planet, the installation is  made of fibers in their natural colors (not dyed).

The installation was made in Narva as part of the Artist Residency program of NART and is now placed in Kreenholm Factory for Artist’s Day of Narva. However, in the following days it will be installed in Nart’s garden so that visitors can join in the weaving of the net.