Living Fibers
‘I want to connect people to feelings of peace and relaxation through my artwork. My pieces are intricate, yet simple and soothing. The way I work with the fiber is very natural, organic, and free. I try to express this through my art, so that the pieces can encourage these feelings in their newfound home.’
Mariana began her journey in Peru, where she studied Fashion Design. She later emigrated to Barcelona, Spain, specializing in Haute Couture and pattern making. During this time, she earned a postgraduate degree in Fashion Business Management from Pompeu Fabra University and worked as a fashion designer for a retail store. It was then that she started experimenting with fiber arts in her spare time. Her first exploration in 2016 was with weaving, and later she fell in love with embroidery for its organic, free-flowing nature. Inspired by the textural, 3D aspects of weaving and the fluid forms of embroidery, Mariana developed the concept of creating 3D embroideries on canvas, where she ultimately found her artistic voice and style.
Mariana Baertl’s work combines various textile techniques, such as embroidery, weaving, and appliqué, to create flowing, layered fringe and textile elements using natural materials like cotton ropes, fabric, and raffia.
The layered, cascading forms she creates with these natural fibers evoke a sense of organic movement, resembling landscapes, trees, or rivers—Mariana’s principal sources of inspiration. She primarily uses earthy tones, including cream, beige, and brown, which add a calming and serene atmosphere to her pieces.
Her compositions are both abstract and natural, with a soft, tactile quality that invites interaction and contemplation. The fringes give the artworks depth and dimension, allowing viewers to visually experience texture.