Liene Bosquê

Lives and works in Miami, FL

Artist statement

I am interested in the relationship between place and people—the influence they have on one another, the conflict that exists between the two, and the traces that are left once they have come into contact. In turn, my multidisciplinary practice deals with the exploration of sensorial experiences within natural, urban, architectural, and personal spaces. My process is often archeological. I simultaneously study the historical and physical attributes of an environment and then develop a way in which to respond to and record that experience by creating traces, shadows, impressions, imprints, and reflections of the area. This methodology allows me to place an emphasis on the memory and history of that space in a way that feels tangible. I draw from the pre-colonial history of hammocks (hamacas in Spanish) to create sculptural textiles that explore the aesthetic and cultural connections and dissonances surrounding this artifact. In the HamacaS project, I update the role of craftsmanship and weaving in the Global South and its significance for the populations of Central and South America, and in particular for this project Guatemala context. In Guatemala, hammocks are a staple of traditional artisan weaving—often crafted on pedal-powered or traditional wooden looms using bright, durable cotton. With HamacaS I bring up issues of territoriality, identity, and gender. Imbued with the memory, touch, and body of the public, the hammocks are situated on the threshold between cultural,...

Artwork