Patrizia Polese: 3D art of the loom

Initiated by her traditional Italian family’s evening ritual of communal embroidery and crocheting sessions, the textile art of Patrizia Polese today commands a place in international exhibitions with her 2 and 3-dimensional woven art forms.

Using yarn, wire and other natural materials, she is inspired by creatures, plants and minerals and their connection with humans and the world that they perceive. Incorporating other visual art techniques such as drawing, painting and photography, Patrizia creates installations and regularly contributes to exhibitions in Italy, France and around the world. Her work has appeared in both group and solo exhibitions including Miniartextile in Venice and France, XXI Milan Triennal – Women in Italian Design, and XIV Tapestries Triennial, in the Central Museum of Tapestries, Lodz, Poland.

Hailing from the town of Treviso, the home of international clothing retailer Benetton, she has been a contributor to projects with fashion and industrial design companies alike. She also loves to teach ‘the art of the loom’ in private and public schools and runs her own workshops.

In this interview, Patrizia tells how, from humble beginnings, the childhood love of fibre instilled in her by her family founds its way, first to Milan and then to the international stage. She weaves the story of how she could not resist the calling of the nearby Milan arts school – and how that sparked the deepening, creative relationship with the materials she employs in her work today.