Martine APAOLAZA

After dedicating myself to sewing clothes and utilitarian objects for a long time, patchwork gradually became a significant part of my life. For about thirty years, I have been creating textile works, initially with a machine and then by hand, with sizes that gradually reduced to allow for more personal expression. My creations, similar to painters' canvases, use fabrics and threads as a color palette. I specialize particularly in depicting houses and city center facades, capturing various rural or urban, regional, and architectural atmospheres. My style, often naive or stylized, aims to simplify and clarify lines. Through my works, I tell stories in a simple and direct way, often with a touch of humor. I build my landscapes on a textile base, gradually applying fabrics, and then adding embroidery that animates and brings the scene to life. In my hand-embroidered appliqués, I use a multitude of techniques, from the most traditional to the most modern, including reverse appliqué, which gives perspective to my paintings. I have exhibited my works in numerous places, mainly in France at major fairs or smaller regional exhibitions, and sometimes internationally. Having been a teacher for twenty years, my work is constantly evolving, always seeking to innovate and respond to new inspirations or experiences. I enjoy using leftover materials and maximizing the use of what I have, predominantly favoring cotton and linen. Paris, as well as authors and artists like Zola, Colette, and Coco Chanel, have greatly influenced my work.