Welcome back for more of this year’s Women Pulling at the Threads of Social Discourse interview series, running alongside our gallery exhibition for the next two months. We asked the eighty (yes, eighty) artists participating in the sixth-annual edition of our textile exhibition, We Got the Power, to reflect on the themes present in our main source material (Aristophanes' Lysistrata), as well as their own relationships with the medium.
Our ninth Q&A roundup features artists Valeria Montag, Fernanda Froes, Debora Rosental, and Yanira Lopez.
Why is fiber your medium of choice?
Valeria Montag: I had a retail female fashion store in Brazil for many years, I am totally attached to fibers+textiles.
Fernanda Froes: Fiber, particularly cotton as a natural, plant-based material, is my medium of choice because it allows me to connect deeply with the botanical world, which is central to my research. Using botanical pigments on textiles creates a sustainable and meaningful way to tell stories rooted in environmental and cultural preservation.
Debora Rosental: Textile techniques have been part of my life since childhood, thanks to my mother's knitting and sewing. Fiber as my medium choice came naturally because of my early connection to it.
Yanira Lopez: I consider myself a multidisciplinary artist, as I am constantly experimenting and evolving through other mediums besides fiber.
Debora Rosental: Textile techniques have been part of my life since childhood, thanks to my mother's knitting and sewing. Fiber as my medium choice came naturally because of my early connection to it.
Yanira Lopez: I consider myself a multidisciplinary artist, as I am constantly experimenting and evolving through other mediums besides fiber.
I appreciate the versatility that fibers/textiles offer. There’s something very methodical about the process of working with fibers that makes me slow down. An almost meditative, grounding quality that I love.
The fact that I have a connection with the handmade materials from Brazilian women and support them, it’s a start to making a difference.
— Valeria Montag
What was your introduction to fiber art?
VM: I created a huge patchwork piece made from a collection of belongings from my favorite people.
FF: My introduction to fiber art began during my MFA in Visual Arts when I started researching cellulose fibers and historical botanical pigments. I took a class on natural botanical dyes, and from that moment, I became deeply engaged with the process and have continued exploring it ever since.
DR: With a lifetime of weaving experience behind me, I discovered a new purpose in fiber art. This medium offered a profound outlet to translate my beliefs into tangible, expressive works.
YL: I grew up in Cuba playing with fabric scraps and hand stitching my own rag dolls even before I began attending school.
Who inspires you?
VM: Arthur Bispo do Rosário, Brazilian artist.
FF: Anni Albers and Ruth Asawa, for their innovative work with fiber and their ability to elevate craft into fine art. Mark Dion influences me with his explorations of history, nature, and science through art. Yuval Harari and Eduardo Bueno's historical research, and Luiz Zerbini's vibrant representations of Brazilian culture and landscapes also resonate deeply with my practice, especially as I explore the intersections of ecology, history, and art.
DR: My mother's example as a successful working woman ignited my passion for science and fueled my deep connection to nature. Her influence was profound, guiding me toward a career that aligned with my values and aspirations.
YL: Not a who but a what. The colors, repetitive patterns and volume found in nature and architecture are constant sources of inspiration.
In society today, the struggles for environmental justice and the rights of marginalized communities continue, and my work responds to this urgency by celebrating women who, like Dorothy [Stang], dedicate their lives to these causes.
—Fernanda Froes
What was your reaction to this year’s call for submissions? Can you elaborate on why?
VM: I was excited because I love to belong to FAMA and our fiber group, and especially the collective exhibition in The Camp Gallery. which I have participated in since the first exhibition a few years back.
FF: My reaction to this year’s call for submissions was of great interest, as it connected history and a contemporary theme: female power. Developing a piece around a woman who dedicated her life to environmental preservation was particularly inspiring, which allowed me to connect the theme with my ongoing exploration of cultural and natural preservation.
DR: This year's call to action presented a thought-provoking invitation to re-examine the critical role women can play in driving societal transformation.
YL: I was very excited! Extremely relevant, especially given our current political climate.
Tell us about your piece for We Got the Power, and what it means to you.
VM: All the materials in my work came from my country Brazil, and strong women who support all of their huge families with handmade artisanal art work.
FF: My piece is a tribute to Dorothy Stang, an activist who dedicated her life to protecting the Amazon rainforest and empowering its riverine communities.
FF: My piece is a tribute to Dorothy Stang, an activist who dedicated her life to protecting the Amazon rainforest and empowering its riverine communities.
Dorothy's environmental preservation and social justice legacy is central to the work. The piece reflects her tireless efforts to teach local populations about biodiversity, sustainable living, and the rights of small farmers and indigenous communities in Pará, Brazil. Through natural fibers and botanical pigments, the artwork represents the interconnectedness of nature and the cultural fabric that Dorothy worked to preserve. It also serves as a reminder of the power of individuals like Dorothy to affect real change, even in the face of overwhelming opposition.
This work holds deep meaning for me, as it aligns with my ongoing exploration of cultural and ecological preservation, highlighting the vital role women play in defending the environment and advocating for marginalized communities.
DR: My artwork celebrates the power of women's organizations to champion equality. However , it also raises a critical question: can these organizations truly advocate for all women regardless of race , religion and ethnicity? We must strive for true inclusivity , where every woman feels empowered and represented. Let's work together to ensure these organizations live up to their full potential.
YL: My diptych “The Pact” refers to the pivotal moment in the play when women unite and agree on a strategy to achieve peace and save the men from themselves.
Self agency is a right!
We must strive for true inclusivity , where every woman feels empowered and represented.
— Debora Rosental
What does your piece respond to, both in the context of the play and in society?
VM: The fact that I have a connection with the handmade materials from Brazilian women and support them, it’s a start to making a difference.
FF: My piece responds to Lysistrata by drawing on women's use of collective power to create change. In the play, women stop a war through unity. In my work, I reflect on this strength by honoring Dorothy Stang, who fought to preserve the Amazon and the rights of local communities. Both the play and Dorothy's life highlight how women can challenge oppressive forces, whether in war or in the destruction of nature.
In society today, the struggles for environmental justice and the rights of marginalized communities continue, and my work responds to this urgency by celebrating women who, like Dorothy, dedicate their lives to these causes.
DR: My work is a response to the disturbing double standards exposed last year,where women's organizations demonstrated selective outrage, often maintaining silence in the face of egregious violations of women's rights, depending on the identity of the victim.
YL: The play depicts agency and power as values that are a right to all and will aid our ongoing present-day gender equality fight.
How do you hope viewers will respond to your piece?
VM: I hope they see the beauty in simple original material becoming such meaningful artwork.
FF: I hope viewers will first feel a sense of connection to a story that is not widely known—the story of a woman who made a significant social and environmental impact through her determination, courage, and generosity. I also hope they engage with the subtleties and delicacy present in the composition and materiality of the piece. By interacting with these elements, I want the audience to reflect on the power of bold, impactful actions and the broader implications of protecting the cultural and natural heritage of one of the world’s greatest forests: the Amazon rainforest.
FF: I hope viewers will first feel a sense of connection to a story that is not widely known—the story of a woman who made a significant social and environmental impact through her determination, courage, and generosity. I also hope they engage with the subtleties and delicacy present in the composition and materiality of the piece. By interacting with these elements, I want the audience to reflect on the power of bold, impactful actions and the broader implications of protecting the cultural and natural heritage of one of the world’s greatest forests: the Amazon rainforest.
DR: I aspire for my work to provoke introspection among viewers, prompting them to critically evaluate the actions and values of certain organizations, ultimately driving a demand for greater accountability and inclusivity.
YL: These non-figurative artworks seek to resonate with both the individual and the collective, striving to convey a sense of urgency and strength through the use of color.
There’s been so much social conditioning as to what role women must play in society. Learning to identify and confront this damaging and limiting way of thinking is a good place to start.
— Yanira Lopez
Do you believe that women do have the power to effect change? How?
VM: Yes of course.
FF: Yes, women have the power to effect change. Still, it only happens when they are connected to a community or a group—just like in the Lysistrata play and how Dorothy Stang connected to the local communities. When women come together, their collective strength can drive social and environmental transformation, especially when united by a common cause. It’s through these connections and shared goals that real change can be made.
DR: Women have the power to be catalysts for transformation. By actively challenging unfair practices and proposing innovative solutions, we can create a world that truly values and empowers women.
YL: We truly do have the power to effect change. There’s been so much social conditioning as to what role women must play in society. Learning to identify and confront this damaging and limiting way of thinking is a good place to start.