Based in Portugal, artist Vanessa Barragão is using recycled textile wastes to handcraft tapestries of coral reefs.
Utilizing techniques such as hand tufting, crocheting, embroidery, knitting and weaving to create rugs, carpets and wall hangings, the tapestries depict the intricate and fragile life of underwater ecosystems.
“The textile industry is one of the most polluting in the world. All the machinery used requires tons of energy while producing a lot of waste and disposable trash. It is extremely harmful for our planet and it affects all of its different natural environments, particularly the ocean which absorbs 90% of the atmosphere pollution,” explained Barragão.
“Global warming is erasing one of the most vital environments, the coral reefs,” said Barragão. “This living and complex natural organisms are the heart of an immense habitat of marine species which depend on one another to survive. Without this pillar, a major part of sealife can become close to extinction which will ultimately affect us and many other living species.”
With the healthy and vibrant coral reefs depicted with rich and lively colours, the bleached coral reefs are depicted with mute and monotone colours.
To learn more about Vanessa Barragão and her work, click the link below.
