Textiles Artist in Resident Sofia Fernandez Diaz says, “My practice centers around my daily life, and has always been heavily influenced by how I interact with nature and my surroundings. This relationship has continued after relocating to Chicago from Mexico, with the urban landscape providing new artifacts to observe and reconsider. Objects such as discarded bottle caps, rusted pipes and springs, to name a few.

“The work I am currently creating explores the relationship of physical spaces, light, objects, and the histories embedded within. I use basket weaving and other traditional craft techniques to combine found items with natural materials like beeswax and natural dyes. It is an intuitive process of observation, transformation, and play that allows me to challenge and recontextualize the relationship between objects and making processes. Immersing myself in this approach has enabled me to form my own layered, translucent visual language to reveal and share the stories hidden within the patinas and textures of urban decay.

Taking creative risks and experimenting with unconventional materials and techniques let me push the boundaries of traditional artistic forms and craft processes to challenge perceptions of beauty and value, prompting viewers to reconsider the significance of objects that are often dismissed or passed unperceived. By questioning the consequences of our mass consumption and disposal habits, my work urges us all to reflect on our environmental impact, the overlooked beauty in decay and form a deeper connection to our surroundings.”

Photography by Rebecca Memoli