Recorded in June 2025 at Il·lacions Gallery, Barcelona. “Sometimes my studio feels like dancing, sometimes like meditation—but the textile is always moving. It is never a static thing.”
— Mariadela Araujo Who Is Mariadela Araujo? Born in Venezuela, shaped by years in Finland, trained in fashion design and costume studies in Rome, and ultimately rooted in Barcelona, Mariadela Araujo has turned her studio into an entire universe of her own. Working on a high-warp loom, she creates pieces that exist somewhere between tapestry and sculpture, between two-dimensional and three-dimensional forms, and between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary installation art. Her work has been recognized by Loewe, commissioned by Lexus, featured in the Homo Faber Guide, and discovered by Saatchi & Saatchi. Yet when asked how all of this happened, her answer is disarmingly simple: “I just kept working. I just kept showing up.” Chosen by Loewe — The Story Behind the Recognition How did Loewe find her? The answer begins at Maison&Objet in Paris. She was exhibiting her work when a designer entered her booth, spent time observing, and then returned with the entire team. Over successive editions of the fair, that initial encounter evolved into a lasting collaboration. “That’s why a good platform matters so much. Sometimes everything starts from standing in the right booth.” Loewe—globally known for the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize—is one of the luxury industry’s strongest advocates for contemporary craftsmanship. What drew them to her work was not decoration, but density:
a material intelligence and tactile depth that cannot be industrially reproduced. Lexus Art Car — A Very Short Timeline Mariadela was recently invited to participate in Lexus’s Art Car project. The concept: translating her textile language onto an automobile—turning a vehicle into a moving textile artwork. “The timeline is very short,” she says. At the time of the interview, she was coordinating production, sourcing materials, and managing logistics under intense time pressure. For her, the real challenge is not creation itself: “It’s trusting your suppliers,” she laughs, “and not letting European holidays destroy your schedule.” Homo Faber — Europe’s Most Selective Craft Guide The Homo Faber Guide, created by the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship, is one of the world’s most prestigious platforms dedicated to exceptional craftsmanship. Artists are selected through a rigorous evaluation process based on “Criteria of Excellence,” reviewed by an international cultural committee. Today, it features more than 2,600 artisans across 45 countries. Mariadela is listed as a Barcelona representative under the category of Textile Creator. Her studio and contact details are included in the platform—but more importantly, inclusion itself functions as international recognition. Il·lacions & Xavier Franquesa — Barcelona’s Great Connector This conversation was recorded at Il·lacions Gallery, founded by Xavier Franquesa. The name comes from the Catalan word for “connections” or “associations.” Il·lacions operates both as a physical space and as a creative network linking designers, makers, architects, and collectors. Franquesa often describes the space as one that generates “new promises and new possibilities.”Rather than a traditional gallerist, Franquesa functions as a design cultural catalyst, connecting Barcelona’s creative ecosystem and redefining design as cultural capital. Il·lacions continuously explores what design can become:
a space where disciplines intersect, where functional and aesthetic boundaries dissolve, and where Barcelona’s creative energy expands. Mariadela’s Material Philosophy — Down to the Last Centimeter Mariadela calculates materials down to the last centimeter. Not out of frugality, but out of respect. “When you truly understand a material, you don’t want to waste it.”
