Casa Alta Insights: Vanessa Barragão

WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR MAIN INSPIRATIONS OVER THE COURSE OF YOUR CAREER?

Nature has always been my main source of inspiration, especially the sea and the memories connected to the places where I grew up and the locations I have visited. From an early age, I was closely connected to manual work through the women in my family, who taught me techniques such as crochet and embroidery.

Later, while studying Fashion Design, I began exploring textiles as an artistic medium and reflecting on issues such as waste in the textile industry, writing my thesis on the wool production process. From that point on, my work developed organically, maintaining a strong connection between environmental awareness, ancestral techniques, and contemporary practice.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE ESSENCE OF YOUR ARTISTIC WORK?

I would say that the essence of my work lies in the connection between nature, craftsmanship, and sustainability. The pieces I create evoke natural landscapes, particularly those linked to the ocean and marine ecosystems, using artisanal and ancestral techniques.

My aim is to create works with both physical and emotional presence, inviting contemplation and awareness of our relationship with the natural world and the impact our actions have on ecosystems and on the planet.

“I aim to create works with both physical and emotional presence” an invitation to slow down and observe.”

WHAT THEMES OR MESSAGES DO YOU AIM TO CONVEY THROUGH YOUR ART?

I aim to convey a message of respect and care for nature, without a direct or activist approach. I believe art can create empathy and emotional connection, encouraging reflection on sustainability, ecosystem preservation, and the value of craftsmanship.

My work is intended as an invitation to slow down and observe.

Love Vanessa’s work?

My creative process varies depending on the context of the project. When working with a client, the starting point is always the space and the client’s needs. I seek to understand the environment where the piece will exist, from decoration and architecture to the function of the space, colour palette, and even the surrounding landscape, if it influences the interior language.

I also aim to understand the client’s sensitivity, so the work can naturally dialogue not only with the space but also with the person. When developing new collections or authorial pieces, the process is more intuitive and free. I usually begin with an emotion, a memory, a colour, or a natural landscape.

Creation unfolds organically, with time playing an essential role, allowing the piece to grow without a fully defined outcome from the beginning. In both cases, manual work, artisanal techniques, and the relationship with nature remain central elements throughout the entire process, from the initial idea to the final piece.

With the guidance of Casa Alta Design, we explore your vision in detail, develop a tailored moodboard, and curate a colour palette that reflects your inspirations, interior style, and personal visual identity, guiding the creation of a unique, site-specific artwork made exclusively for your space.