Bleached Coral

Vanessa Barragão

68.90 × 61.02″

Mixed Media

Barragão’s work is a masterful fusion of textile artistry and environmental storytelling, where intricate detailing and sculptural depth transform the surface into a living, breathing entity. At the heart of this piece, vibrant coral formations rise with exquisite dimensionality, surrounded by an organic tapestry of textures that captures the richness of marine ecosystems.

The interplay of soft, fibrous materials and precise, linear compositions blurs the boundary between fine art and tactile craft, creating an immersive experience that invites both visual appreciation and sensory engagement. The creamy, earth-toned palette suggests an ethereal stillness, while the meticulous layering of textures brings the work to life with a sense of movement and vitality.

Hand-woven and sculpted elements mirror the interconnected cycles of growth and decay beneath the ocean’s surface, reinforcing Barragão’s ongoing dialogue with nature’s rhythms and the fragility of ecosystems. Every fiber carries a narrative of survival, transformation, and symbiosis, offering a poignant reflection on the delicate balance that sustains life.

Barragão’s signature approach to textile-based fine art breathes new energy into traditional representation, bridging contemporary craft and ecological consciousness. With this piece, she invites viewers into a realm where art, nature, and sustainability intertwine—urging contemplation of our role within the fragile and ever-evolving fabric of the natural world.