The ocean in her hands

Vanessa grew up in Albufeira, a coastal town in the Algarve, surrounded by the ocean. Spending a lot of time with her grandparents, she learned to crochet from her grandmother when she was very young. Her grandfather was incredibly skilled in woodworking and traditional crafts, and traditional techniques such as crochet, felting and weaving have become an important part of Vanessa’s work.

“It started in my childhood, sitting beside my grandparents and watching them. Those skills were passed down naturally, just by spending time together.”

As a child, she used to travel a lot with her parents to the Caribbean, where she saw coral reefs for the first time. “This experience is still in my mind like a photograph.”

It was her family and upbringing by the ocean that shaped everything for her. “The ocean is my place of refuge. The textures of the rocks, the sound of the waves, all of that became part of my visual memory and naturally found its way into my work.”

Over the years, she has explored other techniques, experimenting with textures and forms that remind her of the natural world.

Creative awakening

When Vanessa turned 18, she moved to Lisbon, where she completed both undergraduate and master’s degrees. She studied fashion design for six years and it was a very important stage in her life. That’s when she became aware of the environmental impact of the textile industry and changed her focus completely.

“I wanted to create in a way that respected the environment and celebrated traditional handicrafts. Textile art became my language. It opened my eyes to the reality of the fashion and textile industry. I saw first-hand how much waste and pollution it generates. That experience made me realise I didn’t want to be part of that cycle. Instead, I wanted to work slowly and mindfully.”

Sustainability is central to her practice. Most of the materials she uses are sourced from textile factories, where she collects production waste, mainly leftover yarns that would otherwise be discarded. Her team cleans and organizes them by colour and from there the creative process begins.

“Working with waste materials is not just a choice for me, it is the foundation of my work. I see it to show that beauty and meaning can come from what is often forgotten.”

Nature as constant inspiration

Nature plays a huge role in shaping her ideas. Coral reefs, underwater landscapes, the movement of the water, the colours you find beneath the surface, anything related to the ocean is a constant source of her greatest inspiration.

Vanessa currently lives and creates in the Algarve. Being here gives her space to breathe. The slower pace of life and being surrounded by the sea, open landscapes and calmness flows into her work, giving her time to think, to experiment, and to connect more deeply with the materials and the stories she wants to tell.

In her free time, Vanessa likes to travel or take time to connect with nature. Sometimes that means going to the beach, other times a walk in the forest. It always helps her to reset and find new energy.

Respect for nature, for traditions, and people’s time and skills are the main values that guide her life and creative process. Patience, because meaningful work takes time. And connection, staying close to the places, people, and ecosystems that inspire her.

I asked Vanessa if she had any specific piece of work, one that holds a special personal meaning to her. “Coral Vivo, the piece gifted by Portugal to the United Nations, will always be special to me. It carries my artistic vision but also a message about protecting our oceans, and it represented my country on an international stage.”

When it comes to giving some advice to young artists who want to combine creativity with sustainability, Vanessa suggests being curious and resourceful. “It is important to look at what is already around us. There is so much material in the world that can be transformed into something meaningful. Learn from traditional techniques and don’t be afraid to work against the rush of trends.”

Milestones

Becoming a mother has been the biggest milestone and proudest moment in her life so far. It has changed the way she sees time, the way she works, and the way she connects with the world. “It is the most challenging and rewarding journey I have ever been on.”

At the beginning of 2020, her studio moved from Porto to the south of Portugal, to Vanessa’s hometown, Albufeira. Vanessa likes her studio to feel alive, filled with colours, textures, and materials ready to be explored. Music and natural light are playing an essential role in her creative process.

On her website vanessabarragao.com, you can find out more about upcoming exhibitions and recent collections.

All photos taken by Studio VB.