Interview with Global Weaving Artist Susana Negre

Tapestry weaving by Susana Negre shown in the home of Jacquin Headen. Artwork shown by Marcus Jolly.

Our Artist Spotlight today showcases weaving & textile artist Susana Negre who has sought creative inspiration across the globe, from her hometown of Barcelona, to London, Mexico, and all the way to Brazil. Susana’s goal is to blend old world techniques with new ideas to create something never seen before. She describes her work as non-traditional tapestry weaving.

Weaving artist Susana Negre of Barcelona. 

Jacquin: What attracted you to weaving as an artform?

Susana: Although I am now focused on my true passions of art and textiles, previously I worked internationally as an event/art producer. I discovered weaving in 2013, however, I think my attraction to the textiles medium began much earlier in my life. I went to Teraninya School in Barcelona where I was introduced the fascinating world of textiles. 

Through conducting weaving workshops, I decided to specialize in the artform full time. Negre textile art is inspired by art, fashion, design, architecture, interiors, culture, travel, photography, cinema and the great value of hand-making and crafting.

Jacquin: How has living in Rio de Janeiro inspired your work up to this point?

Susana: The creativity of the people, the colors of the sea, and the tropical rainforests of beautiful Rio de Janeiro have had a huge impact on me! Location and scenery have always affected my artwork. It is difficult to explain why I feel the need to travel for inspiration when my hometown of Barcelona is such a creative and beautiful city. Experiencing new cities allows me to gain fresh inspiration. I have recently relocated back to Barcelona where I am pursing my masters degree focusing on weaving & textiles. 

Susana Negre volunteers in Rio de Janeiro as she teaches a weaving workshop. 

Jacquin: Have you had the opportunity to introduce your local community to weaving in some way? What has been the best part about getting into the community with your weaving art form?

Susana: Yes! While I was living in Rio de Janeiro last year I had the opportunity to work as a volunteer for a NGO called PIPA SOCIAL run by Helena Rocha. It is a creative hub for talented people, mainly women who live in low-income communities in Rio de Janeiro, with a focus on establishing professional connections and promoting social inclusion.

Their mission is to invest in a Talent Bank of entrepreneurs working in the fields of art, crafts and fashion, helping them achieve professional qualifications, improving their ability to find work and generate income, and providing exclusive consultancy services.

My job as a volunteer was teaching tapestry weaving & creative knowledge to the beautiful and talented craftswomen, designers and artisans who were interested in learning tapestry techniques. We met once a week where we collectively created a small collection of different items such small handbags, scarves, and miniature tapestries for home decorating, We used the traditional tapestry techniques to develop their crafting and design skills, then allowing them to apply their own unique style. We had a goal to help them to generate new products and income for themselves through sales. It was truly a privilege for me to be able to share my time and knowledge with everyone.

“It's something about the colors and textures in textiles that inspires me. It is almost like I didn’t choose textiles, but instead I think it chose me.” -Susana Negre

Jacquin: Tell us about your process creating a tapestry weaving. 

Susana: My working process is very intuitive. In fact, I have never drawn my weaving designs in advance. I refrain from thinking, and allow my creativity to find its way. However, I do have a very clear idea of the materials, textures and colors I want to use before starting a weaving. My designs are heavily textured with vivid colors. Most notably, my textiles are always handwoven, combining traditional handcrafted techniques of knotting and weaving. 

The interpretation of my work I leave up to the viewer. There is a different quality of something that is hand crafted rather than machine made. My work is still emerging, and I want to keep pushing myself to create something unusual. In some senses, my work is growing with me. In terms of the process, it is difficult to say how long it takes. It can take me from just one day to up to 6 month to create a large piece; it always depends on the size of the work and the time I have to weave.

Jacquin: Are there any weaving projects that you are eager to try in the future?

Susana: I would love to get involved in an international project, working with local textile artists worldwide. I would also like to continue doing social projects worldwide. 

Learn more about Susana Negre and her artwork here. 

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Gone Rural Swaziland - Artistic handcrafts with social impact

Gone Rural is an African handcraft & design brand based in Swaziland with a unique, philanthropic spin. This brand has truly impressed me with their artistic woven designs that pay homage to the past while still being innovative. Founded in the 1970s (officially registered in 1992), Gone Rural was launched by a Swaziland farmer's wife, Jenny Thorne, who owned a small craft shop in Swaziland selling handmade clothes, accessories, and anti-apartheid literature. This small shop turned into several locations across Swaziland with a social mission behind their stunning handcrafts. 

Gone Rural empowers the women they employ with a voice and with real life resource. Below a Gone Rural weaver shares how this organization has been a benefit to their lives in more ways than expected. 

Siphiwe Mngometuli - Gone Rural weaver 

Siphiwe is the backbone of her homstead. She left school after falling pregnant and began weaving to support her child. Together, Siphiwe and her husband had six more children, building a life at his homestead. 

Then one day he sold all their cattle and left. He did not return for four years. Siphiwe had to leave her husband's family homestead. But with her income from Gone Rural, she was able to start her life again; building a new house and buying animals. 

For decades now the Gone Rural mission has been to empower local Swazi women by providing educational, health, and social resources. Gone Rural now assists over 770 women in 13 groups spread across Swaziland creating various woven products. Gone Rural's organization boMake (meaning 'mothers in their local language SiSwati) gives back by sponsoring the education tuition for their children, providing access to clean water, and offering free health clinics. 

Rural Evolution collection

Gone Rural also has a fashion branch of their brand. They have collaborated with various global designers to create avant garde fashions utilizing Gone Rural's artistic baskets and weavings, and the results are fantastic. 

Rural Evolution collection

Doktor and Misses collaboration with Gone Rural - woven screen

Gone Rural's innovation to preserve local handcraft traditions while creating new and exciting art & designs is already impressive on it's own, but their commitment to making a social impact in their community makes Gone Rural and boMake truly role models for how businesses can become impactful social enterprises. 

Rural Evolution collection

Learn where you can find Gone Rural woven designs in your own city at GoneRuralSwazi.com (there are boutiques selling their brand across the globe!). Also, visit the boMake organization page to learn more about their social impact efforts. You can give back by simply making a purchase! 

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Empowering Young Artists to Create with Wunderkid co.

Growing up creating art was one of the least encouraged career paths discussed in school, even though there are many extremely talented would-be artists out there, who were simply never encouraged to keep creating.  I was one of those artistic kids who loved painting and printmaking, but never considered art as a serious career opportunity. Years later having graduated from law school (which I don't regret), I wonder what would have been had I continued to create all along.  Getting back into creating art myself, I was genuinely thrilled to learn of a new organization, Wunderkid, whose mission is to encourage and financially support young artists at a time when most high school students may be steered toward other career paths. 

Wunderkid is a digital platform that curates and sells extraordinary art from young, emerging artists around the world. As a social enterprise, when you buy art prints, Wunderkid contributes a portion of each purchase directly to their hardworking Wunderkids, helping them fund their education and providing them the opportunity to pursue their creative passion wholeheartedly. 

I wanted to learn more about Wunderkid, so I scheduled what ended up being an epic chat with Wunderkid's Founder & CEO, Denise Troy. Take a look at my recent interview with Denise. Supporting young artists has never been easier with Wunderkid!

Jacquin: When did you know you wanted to start Wunderkid? 

Denise: As a choreographer and artist myself, I knew there was a disparity in the support system (both financial and entrepreneurial) for young artists. I think deep down I always knew I wanted to address this issue…it just took me some time to figure out how it might manifest into a tangible idea. The idea of Wunderkid came to me early last year and as soon as I thought of it, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I felt invigorated by the idea of helping other young artists pursue their passion. I think the next day I bought the domain and started building the website. When inspiration strikes, I move quickly. :)

Jacquin: How has your journey building this philanthropic business been so far? 

Denise: The journey of building Wunderkid has been full of some unbelievable moments. I don’t think building a business is ever easy, but it is immensely easier to weather the road blocks when you feel you’re doing something important. Each time I speak with a new artist, I still get goosebumps seeing that smile as I welcome him/her into the program. It’s a high I can’t even put into words. The other phenomenal component of this business has been connecting with other professionals that are willing and eager to help me on this journey. I’ve had brand strategists, marketing gurus, pr mavens and a slew of other incredibly talented individuals all willing to provide wisdom, support and encouragement throughout this journey simply because they identify with our mission. It really reaffirms how beautiful people are and makes me realize we are all in this journey together.

Jacquin: How is Wunderkid mentoring young artists today? 

Denise: On an artistic level, we work incredibly hard with our artists to provide them meaningful feedback on their work and push them to step outside their comfort levels. We also help them learn how to digitize work, price original work, show work in a gallery, etc. I hope in the near future to also setup mentor relationships between established artists and the Wunderkids to serve as another form of support. 

Photo Credit: Tristen Seagondollar

Jacquin: I'd love to learn about one of the talented Wunderkid artists. Tell us about your first ever Wunderkid artist. 

Denise: Sienna Browne was the very first artist that I added to the site. I found her at a local High School art show. When I walked into the show, I saw a few amazing pieces throughout the art show and saw the name Sienna Browne underneath them. I couldn’t believe that at 16, she was producing such extraordinary work with such a unique perspective. I knew I needed to find this girl. The show was packed with people, so I just went up to one girl and inquired, “Excuse me, do you by chance know Sienna Browne?” She looked at me and said, “that’s me!” I smiled and thought to myself of course you are. I often say that finding Sienna was my sign from the universe that I was on the right track. 

Painting by Sienna Browne

Painting by Sienna Browne

Jacquin: How can readers support Wunderkid and its mission?

Denise: As a new business, we work very hard to spread the word about our company. The online art sales climate is incredibly competitive, but we know we offer something special in the scene. We would love for people to continue to spread the word about our company and mission via social media and word of mouth. In addition, I wish everyone could experience how impactful their purchase is. These kids are in this incredibly formative period in their life. When you purchase a piece of art, you’re telling this artist “I believe in you.” That’s incredibly powerful and life-changing—the art is like icing on the cake.

Paintings by Sienna Browne

Wunderkid sells the artwork of talented young artists from across the globe, with proceeds supporting their educations. To support a Wunderkid and source unique fine art, visit Wunderkid's inspirational website. 

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