Woven Petrography

data visualisation traditional needlework weaving

The project Woven Petrography explores the intersection of geological and cultural heritage on the island of Tinos, focusing on the marble quarry of Agios Eleftherios. The textile created for this work serves as a woven archive, visualizing the chemical composition of the marble based on data from the Hellenic Authority for Geological and Mining Research. The numerical data informs the pattern of the weave, while its color palette is derived from the petrographic characteristics of the stone. The decorative motif incorporated into the textile originates from traditional Tinian lacework (fillet lace), connecting the geological narrative to the region’s craft traditions.

The project examines how the presence of marble on the island shaped gender roles and labor dynamics. While men engaged in the physically demanding work of marble mining, women assumed equally labor-intensive agricultural duties. This redistribution of roles highlights how the materiality of the landscape influenced daily life, bringing women into public labor spaces. By treating the Agios Eleftherios quarry as an autonomous geosite, the project reflects on its role as a silent “observer” of the area’s long geological and cultural history, narrating a temporal snapshot of the region’s evolution.

The textile was created during a residency at the Zarifios Weaving School of Tinos. Using a traditional loom, the artist wove daily alongside with the daily production of the local weavers, incorporating patterns rooted in the island’s craft heritage. The inclusion of lace donated by local women symbolizes the blending of geological data with the cultural narratives of Tinian women.

Woven Petrography raises questions about how natural resources influence cultural practices and identity. It bridges scientific data and craft traditions, creating a dialogue between the material and human histories of the region. Through this process, the project invites viewers to reflect on the interconnectedness of geological and cultural legacies and how these shape collective and individual identities.

  • dimensions

    45 x 230cm

  • exhibition

    The inherited earth, Tinos

  • curator

    nwmw

  • production

    Fe 26 residency

  • year

    2023

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