Interview Idoia Cuesta
Lifestyle | Craft Stories
A Weaver’s Passion: Idoia Cuesta’s Artistic Journey
November 7, 2024
By: Paula Holtheuer and Jason Khoo
In her sunlit workshop in Galicia, Idoia creates pieces that bridge centuries-old weaving traditions with contemporary design. Her life’s path to becoming one of Spain's most distinctive and recognised basketry artists began not with fibre and form, but somewhat curiously, with marine biology. This non-linear journey laid the foundation for her unique approach to the craft of weaving that she continues to evolve to this day.
"My head clicked and I realised this was my thing," Idoia recalls of her first encounter with basketry. While pursuing her doctoral thesis in Marine Biology in Galicia, she discovered the Centro de Artesanía y Diseño of Lugo, where she first learned traditional textile weaving. However, it was a chance enrollment in a basketry course that would transform her career trajectory. The transition from two-dimensional textile weaving to three-dimensional basketry felt natural to her, and somehow also created an unexpected link between her marine biology training and her artistic aspirations.
Twenty years ago, announcing a career switch from marine biology to basket weaving wasn't met with immediate understanding. "It was not easy to tell my family and friends that this was what I wanted to pursue," Idoia shares, “At the time, basketry was not yet recognised as a valued craft.” Yet, this bold decision has proven transformative, leading her to national recognition and international acclaim.
Though born in the Basque Country, Idoia has lived most of her life in Galicia. "The Galician culture is deeply rooted in me," Idoia reflects, surrounded by the materials in her workshop that give life to her creations. After thirty years in the region, her artistic identity has been carved by the same forces that shape the landscape – the interplay of tradition and time, the rhythm of the seasons, and the textures of the natural world that surround her in Galicia – from the rolling verdant hills to the vast Atlantic ocean.
While her training began with traditional Galician handcraft, Idoia's work has evolved into something distinctly her own. She draws from the rich well of local craft knowledge but transforms it through a contemporary lens. "Instead of replicating traditional baskets, I have tried to create my new language," she explains, describing how her pieces emerge from a dialogue between ancient skills and modern vision. Her innovative approach earned her the Spanish National Craftsmanship Award in 2015 for her groundbreaking collection which combined felted wool with basketry techniques.
The influence of Idoia’s scientific background also subtly emerges in her work through the organic shapes and volumes inspired by marine organisms. Her time studying ocean floors while diving has unconsciously shaped her artistic vision, as seen in her pieces that appear to capture the fluid motion of underwater life in static form.
Idoia's workshop represents a vision for the future of traditional crafts. She has expanded beyond solo work to lead a team of artisans, tackling one of craft's biggest challenges, that is, scaling while maintaining quality and authenticity. Her approach is a practical one that rests on three pillars: collaborating with design brands, teaching future generations, and continuing to push the boundaries of her artistic practice.
In her collaboration with Origin Made, Idoia’s vision and philosophy towards artistry and craft comes to life through pieces that challenge our expectations of basketry while celebrating its essential nature. The Calabash and Barco Basket Sculptures challenge traditional forms while honouring age-old techniques, representing a perfect synthesis of creativity, materials, and heritage.
As traditional crafts face the challenge of remaining relevant in a modern world, Idoia Cuesta's journey offers a compelling blueprint for their evolution – one that honours the past while fearlessly embracing the future. Idoia’s belief in craft's ability to evolve while maintaining its soul is a philosophy that aligns perfectly with Origin Made's commitment to bringing traditional craftsmanship into modern homes.
Tradition is not a fixed point but a living journey, one that can go down new paths while maintaining its essence – each piece that Idoia creates carries this understanding. Through her work with Origin Made and her own artistic practice, Idoia continues to show how traditional craft techniques while deeply informed by place and culture can be reimagined for contemporary life.
Handcrafted Collectibles by Idoia Cuesta:
