SYMBOLS - Integration series by Teresita Leal

Through this series, I aim to honor the dynamic fusion of Latin American art with European modernism, an ongoing conversation.

Symbols is an exploration of cultural iconography, where I weave together the sun—an emblem of power, energy, and spirituality—with native designs that speak to ancestral wisdom and artistic continuity

To bring these concepts to life, I am working with a combination of hand-dyed and commercial cotton, employing raw edge appliqué and machine quilting techniques. These materials and methods serve as an extension of my theme, emphasizing both the handcrafted, organic elements of traditional textile arts and the precision and innovation of modern quilting practices.

As is my usual approach, I started with a hand-dyed background and selected the fabrics to be used.

Next, I begin pinning fabric scraps, gradually building the design as the composition takes shape.