Daniela Azuela

Your work combines traditional Mexican textile techniques with contemporary design. How do you balance honoring ancestral traditions while bringing in new, modern elements?

For me, Mexican folk art is a cultural cornerstone, born from communities and collective traditions, with techniques passed down through generations. These foundations give me stability, and from there I bring in my personal vision, incorporating global and contemporary elements. It’s not about choosing between tradition or modernity, but weaving them together into a single visual language.

Daniela Azuela | Honeycomb | 2023

Sacred geometry is central to your art. What draws you to these geometric forms, and what meanings do they carry for you?

Sacred geometry is the universal language that connects the cosmos to craft. I am drawn to it because it finds its deepest expression in Mexican textiles: in Wixárika nierikas, Zapotec grecas, or Mazahua diamonds. For me, these patterns represent harmony, order, and at the same time curiosity—an invitation to explore what lies behind the forms.

Daniela Azuela | Honeycomb | 2023

Many of your pieces feature vivid color and intricate repetition. How do you select your color palettes, and how do they influence the rhythm of your compositions?

Color is probably my favorite part, but also the most complex. My starting point can be nature, fashion, architecture, or ceramics. Sometimes I test palettes digitally, but often I follow intuition—choosing the thread that feels “right” in the moment. I’m drawn to contrasts and unexpected combinations. Color sets the mood of the piece, while repetition creates a rhythm that feels almost musical.

You trained with master artisans. What is the most valuable lesson you learned from them, and how has it shaped your own artistic language?

The most valuable lesson was patience. Textile art requires time and energy, and I learned that the process itself gives meaning to the result. I also came to appreciate the depth of knowledge embedded in each technique and the importance of respecting it.

Daniela Azuela | Kauyumari | 2020

Your works invite reflection on craft, memory, and cultural continuity. What personal memories or stories influence your designs?

I grew up in a family deeply connected to dance, poetry, music, and traditions. Those rhythms and values have always stayed with me. That closeness fueled my fascination with Mexican folk arts and later inspired the creation of a physical space for my textile project and cultural promotion, just before the pandemic.

Daniela Azuela | Kauyumari | 2020

What challenges do you face when creating large-scale thread-based installations, and how do you overcome them?

The volume challenge is significant: spending hours weaving or moving large pieces requires discipline. Maintaining thread tension and pattern precision is another difficulty. I usually divide the process into smaller stages, take notes, and remind myself to pause for rest, food, and water. Even though I immerse myself deeply in weaving, that level of dedication is also reflected in the final energy of the piece.

Daniela Azuela | Mata Ortiz | 2020

How do audiences usually react to your works, and what kind of dialogue do you hope to create with viewers?

Many viewers describe my pieces as meditative or bold, saying they can lose themselves in the patterns. Others ask about the symbols or share the ways in which the colors connect them to personal memories or emotions. What I value most is creating a space for dialogue where each person can experience curiosity, calm, or even complexity in what they see or feel.