Spotlight: Maria Davila & Eduardo Portillo
When it comes to weaving nature with function & beauty, Maria Davila & Eduardo Portillo are an inspiring representation. A couple dedicating their lives to the study and research of silk, natural fibers and textiles, they are undoubtedly the perfect start to our nidu Spotlight series.
The couple
Since 1983, Maria & Eduardo have dedicated their lives to the process of creating silk pieces - from the breeding of silkworms to the weaving of silk threads - turning their practice into an art form that celebrates & respects each and every step of the process.
Their journey began in the hilly region of La Pedrera, Merida in Venezuela - a quintessential mountain region with silhouetted backdrops & misty mornings - where they became inspired to travel across the world to China & India to study the art of silk. Upon their return to Venezuela, they founded 'Morera Textiles' - named after the 'Morera' tree - and 'Veneseda' (translating to Venesilk).
Their work is recognized by UNESCO as a contribution to sustainable practices, and they are members of the Textile Society of America, a platform dedicated to the exchange and diffusion of textiles. The couple shares their vast knowledge by lecturing in conferences across the US, Central and South America, and Europe - where they tell their story and inspire hundreds.
Silk & moriche.
The process
As with most wild & wonderful things, it all began with nature - specifically, with larvae from the Canary Islands, and a seed. The silkworm larvae, gifted to Maria & Eduardo by their family and delicately transported to Venezuela in a handkerchief, led to the planting of a seed - specifically, a 'Morera' tree seed. Morera trees lend their leaves as food for the silkworms, which in turn, grow to produce the threads that are transformed into textiles.
Staying true to the organic nature of the process, once the silk is extracted, it is brought to life in vibrant colors using spices, fruits and leaves from Merida's rich land - including indigo, turmeric, avocado and woodlouse, among many others.
The result
Not only does the couple weave nature into their practice, they also embrace and incorporate different cultures into their pieces.
Most recently, Maria & Eduardo drew inspiration from the Yekuana Tribe - an indigenous group who inhabit the Orinoco Basin in the southern region of Venezuela. The tribe are most renowned for their basket weaving - using shredded & sun dried palm leaves and vegetable dyes found in their region - to create striking yet functional pieces used in their everyday lives.
By weaving together delicate silk threads from the region of Merida with the hardy fibers of the rainforest, Maria & Eduardo have merged together nature, beauty, culture and sustainability - all within one piece. These textiles are currently part of an exhibit in Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas in Madrid, Spain.
Silk, moriche, alpaca, threads, copper.
The nidu factor
Through textiles, the couple transmits values - in their words: "good sensations, humanity, the a-temporal, rhythm, landscape, people, culture and history."
The couple continues: "Venezuelans usually bring a particular textile mix of silk & moriche towards their face and take a deep breath. As they do, they connect with the feeling of rest, protection and belonging. It gets them in touch with something primal: shelter."
There is an unmistakable similarity between the way they understand their textiles and the way we design spaces at nidu - we strive to weave the threads of the clients life into their own personal fabric.
Interested in hearing Maria & Eduardo's story? Join them for their next lecture at ETC (European Textile Network) in March. Details to come. You can also learn more about them by visiting their website or Instagram @moreratextiles / @mariadavilayeduardoportillo.