Textile artist Alexandra Kehayoglou brings the beauty of the Argentinian landscape indoors with her incredible wool rug designs. Each functional work of art features hand-tufted woolen textures that represent her country’s grasslands and rivers. Aesthetics apart, Kehayoglou raises awareness for preserving the natural landscape of her homeland.
Kehayoglou’s chosen locations are often linked with political controversy and negative human impact on the environment. One piece titled No Longer Creek is inspired by the Raggio creek near the artist’s home that was recently destroyed by the construction of a shopping mall.
Another large-scale piece, titled Santa Cruz River, was made during a time when the city proposed the construction of two major hydroelectricity dams on the river — the last free, wild river in Argentina.
Each handmade tapestry is created using a myriad of leftover materials from her family’s industrial carpet factory, which has been in business for more than six decades. The talented artist then transforms the scraps of wool into one-of-a-kind carpets that immortalise the beauty of the disappearing landscapes. Kehayoglou’s works are often displayed against a wall, with part of the tapestry left to trail along the floor so visitors can immerse themselves among the soft textures.
Source: www.alexandrakehayoglou.com
