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Marta Santos
Fleur Bleue. Marta Santos

Blue Flower, the Announcement (2018)

128 x 87 x 20 cms

leather and fabric from the Organics series

Partenaires de jeu, Partenaires de vie?. Marta Santos

Game Partners, Life Partners (2018)

150 x 60 x 67 cms

wooden chair, plush toys, butcher’s signs

from the Restless Chairs series

Viajo sola. Marta Santos

I travel alone (2016)

194 x 158 x 16 cms

fabric, wood, horsehair,

from ‘Les Molles’ series

Nowhere Now Here. Marta Santos

Nowhere, Now Here (2016)

190 x 90 x45 cms

iron, cords, toys

from the Flowing series

What are we waiting for?. Marta Santos

What are we waiting for? (2018)

156 x 43 x 40 cms

wooden chair, fishing net, and cords

from the Restless chairs series

Fluir. Marta Santos

Flowing (2003)

162 x 158 x 20 cms

wood and cords

from the Flowing series

Dream Catcher. Marta Santos

Dream Catcher (2013)

178 x 194 x 40 cms

wood, wool, textile, cords

from the Atando Cabos series

Fleur d'hiver. Marta Santosjpg

Winter Flower (2018)

128 x 87 x 20 cms

leather and fabric from the Organics series

Boucler la boucle. Marta Santosjpg

Closing the loop (2014)

134 x 154 x 26 cms

fabric, horsehair, cords

from the Atando Cabos series

Materials are the starting point for Spanish artist Marta Santos who looks to her life experiences for inspiration. Using a wide range of techniques gives each series of her work a different quality and illustrates her depth in each medium.

 

Where are you from and where do you work?

I am Spanish, from Madrid and I’ve lived abroad since 1993, Paris, New York, Paris, Toulouse… In 2012 I settled in Marseille, south of France, where I have my workshop.

 

What is your background in textiles?

As a sculptor I started working on iron (welding) and wood. As I like to mix up materials and textures, I naturally started mixing hard materials with jute fiber and cords that I would cover with bees wax. When I discovered Marseille, with its light and the sea, I felt the need for colour and textures that connect me to my home country Spain, and I started using textiles and cords to cover wood and iron structures. Most recently I have started to work with leather that I also mix with fabric. In fact, I am always discovering new materials and textures that allow infinite possibilities in the creative process. 

 

Your work is very varied, what textile techniques do you use in your work? 

I like to mix materials! I use textiles to wrap structures. I tear them up and then work the fragments. I sew by hand or with the sewing machine and I like also to work with crochet and knitting. I make clothes and fill then with horsehair to make the pieces of one of my series “Les molles”. Currently I am learning to work with leather that I use in the Organics series.

 

How do you work?

I have an initial idea, insight and the emotion that goes with it and then I start trying out with the materials. I do not make sketches or samples. During the creative process I might let go of my initial idea according to what the materials require from me as I go. By letting go I can discover other ways and insights.

 

How do you describe your work? 

My work is an expression of who I am and my life experiences. I am a visual artist that likes to work with volume and deploy in the space. The use of discarded materials, revealing arrangements intuitively, to find creative associations between apparently disconnected objects, comes from my interest to reuse, transform and the desire to connect and find life. I paint with fabric that brings into my work some nostalgia and a sensory and feminine experience that links perfectly with more masculine materials as iron, wood-like structures. It also brings the tactile experiences of cutting, and tearing as well as the colours and contrasts of my Spanish roots.  

 

What or who inspires you? 

Life experiences and materials are my sources of inspiration. Walking around in nature or in the city and looking for new materials and objects is my favourite part of the creative process as everything is still possible.

Regarding other artists I find inspirational the work and life path of Bill Viola. I also find references in the work of women artists from different domains like Marina Abramovic, Louise Burgeois, Niki de Saint Phalle, Annette Messager. Ernesto Neto and Stypo Praniko are also a source of inspiration for me on how to approach textile materials without being caught in the classical technicalities of this medium. When it comes to the use of colour and textures I have two major references: Sheila Hicks, a great lady that has contributed enormously to open the way for textile art, and Judith Scott. 

 

What advice do you have for aspiring textile artists? 

To go to the end of your proposal and not getting lost in details or anecdotes. Use textiles as a support to your expression and do not get caught in the technicalities or the search for perfection. Open up to the use of other materials and means that allow your full expression.

Think large and reflect about your work and your audience. In the end art is about relating to others, tell your story and make sure it is relevant to others.

 

What is your career advice so far?

Do not get lost in the pessimism or the difficulties to get your way in the Art world and keep trying with a sincere approach to your work. Work, work & work, as the more time you spend in your workshop, the more chances you have to be touched by the muses! Reflect about your work, step back and look at it as a whole that evolves. Write about your experience, about your approach. Communicate, communicate, communicate and use the social media to make your artwork visible. Be impeccable in the quality of the work you present and how you present it. Do your best, be present and life will help you

 

www.marta-santos.com

https://www.facebook.com/Marta.Santos.artist/

https://www.instagram.com/martasantosr