My first contact with yarn mandalas was in December 2012 at Ojos de Dios's workshop. It was when I discovered a deep connection with this technique, which allowed me to create through active meditation, exploring sacred geometry, colours and shapes.
What began as a hobby / therapy, quickly became a form of expression, a weaving of emotions, a desire to create objects that could spread harmony and beauty to wherever they were.
I explore different sized mandalas (that can go up to a meter wide), with several kinds of forms, structures and yarns. They are usually unique pieces, but now I've created this special collection for Boom Festival’s Bazaar." (Anabela Marques)
I seek to bring more beauty and harmony to the world, causing sensations of balance and serenity to those who observe them. I desire to dedicate more and more time and energy to these creations. New shapes, new combinations of colours and sizes, I wish to explore this spiral of creation that mandalas inspire me to live." (Anabela Marques)
“I use different types of fibres, which can be of vegetable, animal or synthetic origin. The selection of the threads is made in relation to the proportion between the structure and thickness of the thread, and the type of design of each mandala.
All mandalas in this collection were created with yarn produced locally by a company located in Seia, in central Portugal, and I acquire the skeins in one of the most traditional stores in Porto.
I believe that it is important to invest in local economies and use raw materials that are produced as locally as possible, in order to minimise the environmental impact of their transport. Another priority in my work is to create as little waste as possible, thus I creatively take advantage of all off-cuts and leftover material whenever possible.
The structure of each mandala is composed of sticks made from certified FSC mix wood, which means the wood is sourced from certified forests. ” (Anabela Marques)
Throughout the creative process, great care is taken to ensure all shapes will hold over time. For the final touch, I stitch specific points that will assure the enduring perfection of the design. On some of the mandalas I paint the ends with acrylic or enamel paint." (Anabela Marques)