Sarah Viguer a talented artist of French and Spanish descent, was born in Paris in 1986. She splits her time between Marseille, (France), and Valencia, (Spain), where she is based. Known for her exceptional work with textiles, Sarah’s creations are a blend of local craftsmanship and eco-friendly materials.
What makes Sarah’s work truly unique is her ability to weave 3D textile allows seamless assembly, directly from the loom, thanks to the adhesion of the bio-sourced rubber threads inserted in the direction of the warp. This technique enables endless combinations and assemblies using its self-gripping edges., without the need for any sewing. Through her intricate weaving process, she not only sculpts but also elevates trades that have historically been undervalued and associated with femininity.
Inspiration ‘Gambusino Project’.
The ‘Gambusino Project’ draws inspiration from the mythical creature known as the “Gambusino,” originating from European and Hispanic-American folklore. Similar creatures can be found in other cultures, such as the “Dahu” in France and the “Elwetritsch” in Germany. Sarah’s textile sculptures, named “Gambusino,” pay homage to the primal nature of wool, showcasing her talent and creativity through a combination of freestanding and hanging pieces. Using a diverse range of fibers, she skillfully crafts mythical beings and fantastical creatures, symbolizing creation and new beginnings. The fabric she weaves becomes a second skin, enveloping her creations in intricate patterns that twist and connect within openings and hollows. These dynamic textile sculptures constantly evolve, showcasing Sarah’s skillful manipulation of the versatile material.
The Heart.
“The Gambusino I create is a creature that slithers, resembling the sleek form of a snake and the intricate network of veins and blood vessels within me. The snake emerges in the patterns of my loom’s warp, the texture of the rubber I weave in the weft, and the scale-like coating on the wool thread. As I craft, I mirror the snake’s graceful movements, weaving a “living image” that connects the blood vessels and the snake, infusing the fabric with a clinical essence. These symbolic representations, inspired by Aby Warburg’s The Ritual of the Snake, serve to dispel fear and illness by incorporating the snake’s essence into my creations. Through my fabric artistry, I mend the vessels of my organs” said Sarah.
Materials.
Creating art through weaving: a unique three-dimensional craft. Sarah Viguer utilizes a traditional weaving method using strips of biodegradable rubber woven into the warp. It is sturdy and pliable, with self-adhesive edges that provide endless possibilities for assembly. “I reduce the ecological footprint of my production by having complete control over all my components and the production chain of my sculptures. I collaborate with material engineers Benjamin Lagrève and Patrick Dujon from La Sacred Rubber Factory (Saint-Lubin-des-Joncherets, France), with whom I am developing a “clean” rubber made from 97% oilseed seeds (recycled industrial oils), which I transform into strips for weaving“.
Encounter.
“This “mythopoetic” metamorphosis allows me to connect with the material I touch and the sculpture I create through this form of biomorphism, I aim to bring life to the lifeless and craft sculptures with magical qualities, capable of expressing their organic involvement in the natural world”. – Said Sarah.
Photos courtesy: Sarah Viguer
