Spotlight: Mabelin Castellanos, Textile Artist

“Mabelin Castellanos is a Cuban fiber artist based in Miami. She interprets life as seen from her window, often made from scrap fabrics. Her practice is marked by self-reflection, pleasant observations, and a tender reconstructing of identity. Mabela’s body of work is a series of textile snapshots honoring the fleeting beauty in moments of life most would describe as trivial. ” Maria Gabriela Di Giammarco, curator of the CAMP gallery.

When did you know you wanted to be an artist?

In my forties and out of pain. I couldn’t get my sons out of Cuba before the conscription, I was suicidal. I enrolled in glasswork classes at the community college, and that saved me. I was a scientist at the time, but I was hooked. The opening of the kiln… to see the result of my creation gave me the same adrenaline rush as the analysis of the results after an experiment.

What pressure do you feel as an artist?

I don’t feel any pressure, I work compulsively every day because I feel the need to do it.

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Street Level art by Mabelin Castellanos — Street Level

What are you saying with your art?

Right now, I just feel the need to express the beauty I encounter on my daily walks. The sea, the vegetation, people, their interactions, all of that.

Better with the Tie art by Mabela Mabelin Castellanos — Better with the Tie

What is it like in your studio?

Messy.

Last Day for the Year art by Mabela Mabelin Castellanos — Last Day for the Year

Why do you create the art that you do?

While expecting the birth of my first granddaughter, I bought a sewing machine and taught myself how to sew to make her dolls and clothes. The fabric patterns, colors, and textures inspired me more than glass, so I started exploring the new medium, first gluing them to make collages, later quilting and piecing. Nowadays I use the technique of free-motion quilting that gives more freedom of expression.

Checking Him Out art by Mabela — Checking Him Out

Who inspires you? And why?

The work of my many artist friends on social media. It is part of my daily routine to see their wonderful art. After a series of ischemic episodes and a nervous breakdown as a result, my career as a scientist ended, and once again the creative process saved my life. I started compulsively working on my quilted drawings. They healed me, and now I can proudly say that I am an artist.

Everything is going to be Fine art by Mabela — Everything is going to be Fine

How did you adapt to the socially distant world?

My mental disease has evolved into agoraphobia which is a decrease in social skills with apprehension of getting outside and socializing so the distancing did not affected me.