Chilean artist Trinidad Barros creates “textile sculptures, objects, and installations that question the human body and its form. Through clothing I propose new bodies, mixing human characteristics with physical aspects of other species, generating images of uncharted beings.”

Firstly where did you grow up and where do you live now?

I grew up in Santiago, Chile, where I currently live.

What is your background in textiles?

I studied art in the Catholic University of Chile. Unfortunately, the School of Arts did not offer any specific curses where you could learn textile techniques, so I decided to reach out to the School of Design. Here I was able to learn broad textile topics, like textile theory or textile construction.  Nevertheless, the bulk of my knowledge came from more informal settings, like participating in workshops, sewing by myself, experimenting, making mistakes, and learning throughout the process.

What is it about textiles as an art form that appeals to you?

It took me a few years to realize why I started working with clothes and textiles. It all began as an intuitive experiment where I found, in clothing, a way to express my ideas regarding the human body and skin. But now I realize that this affinity with textiles really came from a day-to-day exposure to it. I’ve always considered myself very perceptive to colours, textures and shapes of the clothes I wear. So, as I grew up, I became more and more precise when considering myself and then translating those sensations and emotions to an outfit. By the time I started creating artworks with clothes I intuitively used that affinity with different materials and a perceptive language I had developed to express my ideas and create my textile artworks.

What techniques do you use?

I mostly work with clothes that are already made, sometimes new, but most of the time I prefer to use second-hand items. I transform them using a sewing machine or sewing by hand. However, sometimes my ideas are so intricate that I have to create them from the ground-up; buy the fabric, create a pattern, etc.

How do you describe your work?

How do you create a piece?

I’m in constant contact with clothing, like all of us; wearing them every day, in my artworks while working at my studio, and when I design my upcycled clothes for @lupercaropa. Being permanently surrounded by textiles and clothing makes the ideal creative atmosphere. While I’m working, ideas pop up to my mind, as images, and the ones that stand-out and capture my imagination are the ones that come to real life. I normally start by doing a few sketches just to visualize the idea on paper. Although the real creative process begins when I start working with my own hands, feeling the materials, cutting and sewing the fabric, as well as when difficulties appear, and how to solve the challenges that they present.

I know this is a hard question but how long does a bigger piece take?

It will depend on the complexity of the piece, but some of my biggest works have taken me between 2-3 months of work.

What are you most proud of in your art career so far?

Having created an artistic language that is my own, makes me profoundly proud. During the time I was developing myself as an artist I found inspiration in many other creators, but I never thought about reproducing their language, because I was to focused on finding the way to express my ideas as accurate and sincere to myself as possible. I think that is what allowed me to create a body of work that has a unique character that people recognize, and that carries my signature as an artist.

Do you have any advice for aspiring textile artists?

Find inspiration in other artists, be amazed by the infinity of textile possibilities, and learn as many techniques as you can. Most importantly, make sure you find your own way to express your ideas, and always try to inspire wonder for the viewers, looking for the same expression of a child after experiencing something for the first time in their lives.

Do you have any upcoming exhibitions?

In January I will exhibit a new series of artworks created from gloves that I’m very excited about. These series of new small works started from a pair of gloves with multiple fingers I created this year, and that is currently in Monica Reyes Gallery in Vancouver Canada.

www.trinidadbarros.com

https://www.instagram.com/trinidadbarros.art/

https://www.instagram.com/lupercaropa/ (brand upcycled clothing)