Ana Rita de Albuquerque: artist-sculptor-inventor

The artist in her natural habitat, surrounded by wool and objects that we don't know exactly why they're there...

Yes, I've known Ana Rita for years, she's been here to teach many, many times, but it's only now that I've been able to visit her at her studio! In fact, Miguel was the one who went to photograph her (that's why some of these images are his), but I was in tow and also took the opportunity to take some pictures (with his camera).

For those of you who have just landed here and don't know who I'm talking about, Ana Rita de Albuquerque is an artist who works mainly with wool through felting, but not only, as you can see from some of the pieces I show below. Finding a title for her isn't the easiest thing, but I particularly like Sculptor, who uses wool as her main raw material, and Inventor. She's also a friend of mine.

More than an atelier (and I've visited many), her space looks like an inventor's workshop, full of rather strange pieces, but all created for some purpose: tests, prototypes, samples of techniques, leftover materials, props, pieces for inspiration, materials of all kinds. Bull heads, floating sheep, thought-transmitting helmets, smoking guns made of wool, realistic food made of felt. The list goes on and on.

Her work touches on many areas and that's one of the things that makes it exceptional, but I know she has a special affection for wool. It was from her that I learned what I know about felting (we've already written the Principles of Felting manual together!!) and what an incredible technique it is.
It was also with her that I realized that felting and its sculptural and creative potential often go under the artistic radar.
Felting seems like a simple technique because, in reality, all you need is a little hot water and soap to create something, which is why there are so many examples of work that have given the technique a less interesting reputation.
It also happens to be one of the techniques that I think is most difficult to master completely and there are very few people who actually know what they're doing when they're felting and who felt intentionally.
Trust me: it takes a lot of mastery to make wool do what you want it to do and not what it wants it to do.

As I've known her for a few years now, I've had the privilege of watching her work grow and evolve.
Her small pieces get more and more complex and detailed. Her large pieces become more and more striking. They all give access to a different world and it's no wonder that her work has great potential for everything costume design.

Combining a material as “traditional” as wool with electronics is a hallmark of Ana Rita's work;

Wool sculptor: this mask was made with nothing but wool;

The felted wool uterus that Ana Rita sculpted for Círculo Perfeito, to be used for educational purposes (and aesthetic ones too, I'd say).

I don't know how to do this with wool, but here you go.

Convincing Wool to do unexpected things is her specialty.

Some of her pieces are technologically very advanced. For example, this one that transmits thoughts. It really works!

The simplest pieces are often the most impressive. This is a whole felted fleece, retaining its original, freshly sheared look.

Creating costumes for the theater has been one of the jobs that most draws on the creativity and potential of wool to create, sculpt and communicate.

Creating costumes for the theater has been one of the jobs that most draws on the creativity and potential of wool to create, sculpt and communicate.

We will continue to collaborate closely and more intensively, teaching about felting and wool, so stay tuned.

You can see more of her work on VolumeAtelier 's instagram and, very soon, on a website designed by Ofício that will house and better show the world her incredible work.