Artist Raquel Rodrigo, known as Arquicostura, brings the technique of embroidery to an architectural scale.
Inspired by the relationship between floral motifs and pattern-making, Raquel uses the native Echinacea flower—part of the Chicago Botanic Garden’s identity—to design a large-scale composition blending a two-dimensional pattern with three-dimensional perspective. The result suggests a symbolic horizon that alludes to the Garden’s future, emphasizing the value of its mission and legacy.
Known internationally for her public space interventions, Raquel transforms traditional embroidery into a contemporary language that opens a dialogue among craft, nature, and innovation. This work is both a tribute to botanical beauty and a vision of how traditions can evolve and adapt to the present in order to imagine the future.
ARTIST BIO
Arquicostura is the artistic project of Raquel Rodrigo (Valencia, 1984), a multidisciplinary artist with a degree in Fine Arts, currently living and working in Valencia. Recognized for her large-scale interventions in public spaces, Raquel Rodrigo detaches embroidery from its traditional textile origins and reinterprets it as an artistic expression linked to architecture and installation art. Her career focuses on redefining the role of embroidery in contemporary culture, developing concepts, techniques, and materials that allow her to translate this traditional practice into new formats and contexts. Arquicostura aims to spark reflection on the relationship between art and craftsmanship. Her work invites the audience to reconnect with cultural heritage from a modern perspective, questioning how tradition can evolve within contemporary society while preserving its essence. Since 2013, she has carried out numerous public space interventions in cities across Spain, including Valencia, Madrid, Salamanca, Zaragoza, and León, as well as internationally in London, Bristol, Liverpool, Munich, Lyon, Istanbul, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Riyadh, Qatar, and Cape Verde. Her work has been featured in prestigious fairs and festivals such as Fuori Salone (Milan), Urvanity Art Fair (Madrid), Design Week (Lima), Design Festival (Madrid), Asalto (Zaragoza), Upfest (Bristol), Peinture Fraîche (Lyon), Artichoke Festival (Estavayer-le-Lac), and Flower Festival (Istanbul). She has also collaborated with brands such as Hilton Hotels, Diriyah Season, Barceló Hotels, Barclays Bank, UtopicUs, Cervezas Alhambra, Anartxy, Primor, and Replay, among others.
ARTIST STATEMENT
My work is characterized by the detachment of embroidery from its traditional textile context, reimagining it as an artistic expression in public spaces. I am interested in embroidery not only as a technique but also for its cultural significance. My goal is to elevate its value within the realm of contemporary art. My creative process begins with an in-depth study of the social and cultural environment of the space where my work will be installed. From there, I develop a visual narrative that establishes a dialogue with its surroundings. I also experiment with different supports, techniques, and materials to bring my work into new formats and contexts. In a world increasingly dominated by industrialization and mass production, I advocate for the value of handmade craftsmanship and personalization. My work represents a reconciliation between tradition and modernity, offering a way to bring cultural heritage closer to today’s audiences.