Embroidered photography – a poetic reflection on memories and their transformational ability. A conversation with Photographer and Textile artist Mayra Biajante

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By combining photography and embroidery, artist Mayra Biajante explores the pathways of memory and how perception transforms through artworks. Her work is an artistic diary that intertwines past and present, an invitation to evolve, outgrow, and leave behind rigid conceptions of oneself.

Approach to the glitch by Mayra Biajante

Angela: Mayra, how did you get involved with photography and textile arts?

Mayra: Angela, first, I would like to thank you for the invitation and for the opportunity to talk about my work.

Since I was a child photography and textile art have always been present in my life. At that time, I remember that my family used an analogue camera borrowed from my grandmother to capture important moments, and the feeling I had when these photographs arrived home after the development process was always magical for me.

I felt a great connection with photography. Years later, I managed to buy my own camera and had the opportunity to study photography, which gave me a greater overview of what an image can constists of, and that I could tell stories through it.

Learning about textile arts came through my mother, who always liked working with threads. From her, I learned some techniques such as crocheting, knitting, sewing, and embroidery.

I confess that despite my interest, I didn’t have much patience and left many works unfinished. However, when I discovered the possibility of embroidering photography, I was fascinated by the possibilites and started to learn more and more in this area.

Circles by Mayra Biajante

Angela: What was your inspiration behind combining photography and embroidery?

Mayra: When I embroider my photos I put a lot of myself into them. Since it’s a slow process, I connect with every detail of the image.

Printing a photograph also seems important to me nowadays, where there is a massive production of digital images and this fragile file can easily be lost.

When I print a photograph and spend a few hours (or sometimes days) creating the embroidery, I return to the moment in which the photograph was taken and consequently reflect on memories and their transformation. It is interesting how a moment captured on a photograph can lead us to notice the changes in perception that occur over time. Through this exercise, I connect with the person I was at that particular moment, and I can see how much I’ve changed after it and who I am now.

Sometimes I also embroider photographs that are not mine, through collaborations with other photographers or using old photographs. And it seems very interesting to me to interpret the stories or feelings of the authors through embroidery, or even to imagine and create stories, giving a new meaning to these photographs.

Comal by Mayra Biajante

Angela: What kind of photography are you using digital or analogue, and what type of materials in terms of photographic paper and threads for embroidery?

Mayra: I like working with analogue photography, but I also produce images with digital cameras and even with my phone. I believe that the photographer’s gaze is more important than the equipment, therefore, I use whatever I have at my disposal at the moment. On the other hand, depending on the work I intend to do, I choose suitable techniques, which can help me reinforce the narrative I want to build.

The same goes for the type of paper and threads. I really like fine art printing on cotton paper and cotton threads, because they are of good quality, so I can work in a more fluid way knowing that my pieces will be preserved for a long time with the necessary care.

But I also like to experiment with other types of paper, transfers on fabrics, old photographs, postcards, sewing threads, natural dyes, and wool. For me, it’s important to step out of my comfort zone, out of what I already know it works. This way I can see how far I can go and how I can express myself in various ways.

Flower mask from The Imaginary Maps series by Mayra Biajante

Angela: Do you use any software to manipulate photographic images for example Photoshop?

Mayra: I use Photoshop or Lightroom but I don’t usually perform big manipulations on my photographs. Generally, I remove any possible marks or stains that may occur during the development process, or some slight adjustment of light or color. I also use the software to prepare the file for printing and sometimes for planning what I will embroider on the image, so I draw on the photograph.

Angela:  In this digital age, your artworks provide a sense of tangibility and bring back the notion of a unique work of art that can’t be reproduced. What are your thoughts on the relationship between digital art and hand-made art?

Mayra: Correct, no matter how much I try to embroider the same photograph with the same design, the final work will always be different and, for me, this uniqueness of the technique is something that I love. However, I also believe that all means of creating are valid and have their originality. Regardless of the medium, the most important thing about producing art is what its content is. What does it communicate? How does it connect the artist and the audience? What reflections, experiences, and feelings can generate?

I find it very interesting to be able to move between digital and analogue, use manual arts, and thus reinforce traditional techniques. I learn and I am inspired a lot by ancient stories and mediums, and I am also very interested in what is modern and contemporary. It was by navigating between these two sides that I found my way of creating and I like to think that in each of them, I have a lot to explore and prove.

Liquid thread from The Imaginary Maps series by Mayra Biajante

Angela: Combining various techniques and artistic mediums provides more opportunities for self-expression. What do you discover working in this manner?

Mayra: For me, learning and trying different techniques is an important step in openning up an abundance of possibilities for manifesting a thought. But I also believe that the more a person focuses on learning something with excellence, the more ways of self-expression can be found.

I really like the feeling of starting to learn something, the moment the new information connects with my body that later develops the ability to execute it. From that moment on, there is a new world of possibilities. It also seems incredible to me to reach other levels of knowledge about what I already know very well. It’s like finding a secret door inside an already-inhabited place.

Mayra’s Portrait by Rodrigo Morales

Angela:  What are your ways to share your art? Is it through social media or gallery exhibitions?

Mayra: Even though I’m not a person who focuses so much on social media, I believe that they are an important means that allow me to reach people in different places. That’s why I use them as a portfolio as well as a way to share my creative process and the workshops I offer. I also have a website, where I present my work with more details.

I work with galleries in some countries, holding exhibitions and offering my pieces for sale.

Another thing that helps me a lot is submitting to art calls to participate in residencies, festivals, art markets, publications, and others.

I really believe in the importance of creating community through art. That’s why I write to other artists whom I admire, or when I’m traveling I try to get to know the local community. I really enjoy visiting studios, understanding creative processes, participating in collectives, learning, and creating together with other artists.

What’s in the lake from The Imaginary Maps series by Mayra Biajante

Angela: Lastly, from where do you find inspiration? Is it through other works of art, nature, or personal experiences?

Mayra: I’ve always been obsessed with the poetry of everyday, with what we can find in our daily lives, and that we sometimes don’t notice because we’re always in a hurry.

Lately, I’ve also been working on what defines a space as a home and on solitude. These are personal themes that move me, and working on them helps me understand who I am and how I relate to the world. Moreover, I always try to understand the different perspectives a subject offers, as well as trying to make a connection or reflection when I present my work to the public.

I like to think that inspiration can come at any time and from any place – from a conversation, a walk, a book, a movie, or an exhibition. I also believe in the importance of seeking out these moments to nourish myself with information. That’s why I like to be open and notice when the inspiration comes and when it does, I write it down in a notebook that I always carry with me. This is my creative diary, and I review it often, especially when I am about to start a new project.

Mayra Biajante’s artwork can be found at:

https://mayrabiajante.com/

www.instagram.com/mayrabiajante

www.facebook.com/mayrabiajante

When I saw you, you’ve already seen me from The Imaginary Maps series by Mayra Biajante

Embroidered photography – a poetic reflection on memories and their transformational ability. A conversation with Photographer and Textile artist Mayra Biajante

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