TEXTILE TERRITORIES EXPLORER

Coimbra, Portugal, 1970.

As a textile sculptor, Maria Pratas, uncovered a newfound dimension in her craft driven by her degree in a visual education’s and its two-dimensionality emphasis. With a dedication to crafting expansive textile sculptures, her creative odysseys take her to diverse destinations, collecting objects and memories as wellsprings of inspiration. Drawing from the wisdom of ancient craftsmen, Maria skillfully merges diverse raw materials into narrative-rich objects. Undeterred by the constraints of time, she meticulously sculpts thread by thread, keeping textile fibers within constant reach. In her atelier, immersed in the textile realm, Maria discovers comfort as she orchestrates the complete creative process. Enthusiastically embracing eclectic artistic environments, she envisions her creations springing to life in distinctive, transformative spaces that honor both functionality and artistic expression.

Michelangelo Foundation For Creativity & Craftsmanship / Homo Faber master artisan

Portugal Manual / Member

DoubleJ Gallery / Middle East representation

ARTISTIC PROJECTS

EXHIBITIONS

2018 — Handicrafts in Transformation, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Brazil

2019 — LISBON DESIGN SHOW, Portugal.

2022TRANSFORMAÇÃO, Lx Lapa gallery, Lisbon, Portugal

2023, mar — PORTUGAL A CORES, Fábrica Features Features, Lisbon, Portugal.

2023, may — LISBON DESIGN WEEK, We are Ninho, Portugal.

2023, may/jun — ESTRADA TÊXTIL, Burel Gallery, Lisbon, Portugal.

2023, jun — selected and represented (by WCCE) at Révélations International Biennial of Crafts and Creation, Paris, France.

2023, ago — TRANSFORMAÇÃO, Loulé Criativo, Algarve, Portugal.

2023, sep — CONTEMPORANIA / High Craftsmanship, Barcelona, Spain.

2023, ago — LOCAL IS BEAUTIFUL / State of the Art, Vila do Conde, Portugal.

Represented in private collections in Portugal and abroad, as well in several decoration projects for hotel companies.

Look, people say nice things about me.