Biography and training.
Alejandra Aristizábal is a Colombian artist specializing in textile-structural work. As a child she grew up surrounded by coffee plantations and mountain landscapes, which nurtured her respect for nature. She studied Visual Arts at Miami International University of Art & Design, where she explored painting, photography and sculpture. In 2015 she discovered her vocation for native textiles, presenting her first pieces at the Young Art Museum in Fort Lauderdale, later pursuing a master’s degree in Communication Design at the Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) in Madrid, where she deepened her interest in Colombia’s natural resources and rediscovered fique (Furcraea andina), a fiber native to the Andes. His career has been enriched by artistic residencies (such as Villa Lena in Italy with CURA Art) and international projects. To date, his work has been exhibited in galleries and fairs in Europe, Asia, the United States and Colombia, which confirms his global projection.
Artistic trajectory.
Alejandra Aristizábal combined her early visual interests with social content. She worked in digital content creation and collaborated with Colombian sculptor Federico Uribe in Miami. However, it was when she adopted fique as her main medium that her style matured. His textile sculptures evolved from small works to large-scale installations: giant hanging ropes, sculptural tapestries and three-dimensional pieces in natural tones. Along the way, he has explored various artisanal techniques – braiding, hand weaving, tangling of fibers – sometimes integrating metallic threads (copper, wire, silver) to give structure. Aristizábal’s work has managed to combine elements of contemporary art with tradition: this transition from painting and sculpture to textiles allows him to create a visual space that connects the viewer with nature while reflecting on sustainability and cultural identity.
Themes and focus of his work.
Alejandra Aristizábal’s work focuses on environmental sustainability and cultural memory; through her artworks, she seeks to promote natural resources and materials such as fique, the main symbol of her artwork, and to give voice to local artisans, elevating indigenous practices and manual traditions. In this way, she addresses content such as ecological respect, the relaying of positive narratives of Colombia and community empowerment. In her own words, Aristizábal wishes to “open conversations about nature, social narratives and manual traditions, convinced that art must have an environmental, social and aesthetic purpose”.
Visually, his pieces are often presented as voluminous hanging sculptures reminiscent of giant ropes, roots or tapestries, playing with space and color. Each work highlights the raw texture of interwoven fique and sometimes the contrast of metal, enhancing the organic imperfection of the material. Combining the aesthetic with the political, her textiles evoke both the beauty of Andean landscapes and stories of historical marginalization. In this vein, Aristizábal uses his work to tell new narratives of Colombia, highlighting biodiversity, indigenous resilience, and hope for a more sustainable future.
Artist represented by Duque Arango Gallery
It was recently announced that Alejandra Aristizábal has joined Galería Duque Arango’s catalog as a represented artist, consolidating her career.
Galería Duque Arango is an institution of reference in modern and contemporary Colombian art. Since its foundation, it has been a reference for the promotion of established and emerging artists, opening channels with national and international collectors.
Being under his representation means that Aristizábal’s work will have a wider showcase: Duque Arango’s support will allow him to participate in global fairs and access a network of demanding exhibitions and collections.
Relevance of contemporary textile art
Textile art has gained great prominence in the recent global scene. Art critics point out that textile art is no longer considered a minor or purely handmade art, but a powerful medium full of meaning.
In today’s art market, artistic textiles are also gaining ground. In Latin America, the textile sector has grown due to local and global demand, valuing unique pieces and traditions (from Andean tapestries to contemporary innovations). In Europe, dedicated spaces are reopening and interest in sustainability is growing; in Asia, digital dynamism and globalization have opened markets (e.g. the Art Basel Hong Kong fair connects traditions such as Tibetan tapestries or kimonos with global audiences).
