ana salazar
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT TEXTILE ART THE MOST IS THAT IT INVITES TOUCH, ULIKE OTHER ART MEDIUMS THAT KEEP YOU AT A DISTANCE.
nice to meet you
I’m Ana Salazar, a textile artist from Portugal. My work is all about exploring texture and playing with neutral tones—they're at the heart of everything I create.
I fell in love with textile art because it invites you to touch, feel, and really connect with the piece, in a way that other art forms don’t always allow.
I find inspiration in the simple moments of everyday life, weaving these experiences into my art like threads in a tapestry. My goal is to create pieces that feel intimate and familiar, like they belong in your space and your story.
My style is all about texture and the calming effect of neutral colors. I love combining weaving and macramé techniques to craft unique pieces that resonate on a deeper level. For me, each creation is a way to capture the beauty of ordinary moments and bring a sense of warmth and nostalgia to life.
the atelier
Every creative journey has humble beginnings, and mine started right in my living room.
For years, this cozy space was both my workshop and sanctuary, where I first experimented with threads and textures, refining my skills in textile art.
But as my passion grew, so did my need for a space that could accommodate my expanding vision.
The opportunity finally arose to move into a new studio, a bright and inviting space right in the heart of my hometown.
Now, this atelier is where I breathe life into every piece, surrounded by natural light and the familiar charm of the town that has always inspired my work.
Here, creativity flows freely—it's a place where raw materials transform into art, where the quiet rhythm of weaving and macramé meets the energy of artistic exploration.
The atelier is more than just a workspace; it’s a reflection of my journey, growth, and commitment to the craft.
Every piece that leaves this atelier carries with it the history of where I began and the promise of where I’m headed.
my process
Creating my textile art is a journey through texture, form, and feeling.
I start with techniques like weaving and macramé, but I let intuition lead the way. Neutral tones are my go-to, providing a base to build up layers of texture that bring warmth and depth to each piece.
While I might sketch out a few ideas, the real magic happens when I start working with the materials. Warping the loom is where the journey begins—it’s the foundation that opens up endless possibilities.
From there, I let my hands take over, guided by my thoughts, emotions, and the tactile feel of the fibers. Each choice I make—whether it’s a thread, a knot, or a texture—captures a moment in time, making every piece truly one-of-a-kind.
Even when I’m asked to recreate a favourite design, I approach it with fresh eyes and an open heart. I embrace the small differences that come with each new piece, because that’s where the true spirit of my art lies—constantly evolving, always unique, and deeply personal.
meet the team
At the heart of my artistic practice is my partner, Prashant Vadukul.
He is not just my partner in life, but also a crucial collaborator in my creative journey.
Together, we embody a true power couple, each bringing our unique strengths to the table.
Prashant meticulously crafts all the frames for my artwork, hand-making each one to my specific designs. His dedication to quality and detail is unparalleled.
He sources sustainable certified wood from our local supplier, personally selecting the finest pieces that inspire his craftsmanship.
Every frame is unique, built with the utmost care and precision to perfectly complement my textile art.
His workshop is a space of creativity and collaboration, where we exchange ideas and inspirations.
While I weave my pieces, he works diligently to ensure that each frame reflects the essence of my work.
It’s through his skills and commitment that my art evolves, gaining a level of depth and character that truly sets it apart.
Together, we strive to create not just art, but pieces that tell a story and resonate with those who encounter them.
I was born and raised in a small village in the northern interior of Portugal.
Surrounded by mountains, in a small valley where two rivers glide through, flowing into the middle of the town, tracing lines of water on the land. And from home, looking at the mountains around us, I could see the open grooves of dirt roads that cut through the mountains. Lines.
Time is different. Calmer, slower. Without the urgency of time in the big city.
But memories are especially made of people. Of people who stay with us in memory until the day we ourselves remain in the memory of those who come after us. The grandmother, the great-aunts. While I played with the dollhouse, I watched them, sitting, the ball of yarn in their lap, their agile hands holding the crochet needles.
They knew the stitches by heart. Their hands seemed to have a will of their own, making the needles look like two swords clashing, while they created a cloth, a towel, a small work of art born from their imagination. Ancient knowledge, passed down from generation to generation. In the autumn, it was the wool with which they knitted sweaters, cardigans. Nothing ready-to-wear.
Little did I know, in those years of my childhood, that an indelible memory was being imprinted on my mind. A memory made up of the knowledge that came from the grandmothers, from the art of knitting with crochet or wool needles. Without realizing it, those needles, perhaps guided by the hands of God, were weaving my destiny. A destiny that I came to discover later. Woven in those long afternoons where I watched them sitting and talking, while their hands busied themselves, as if with a will of their own, sliding the yarn through the crochet needles.
But more than the art, there was something that will stay with me until the end.
The eternal love of my grandmother and great-aunts.