Cropped Punch-Needle Snapshots by Adrienna Matzeg Stitch Memories of Portugal

Art
Food

#Adrienna Matzeg
#embroidery
#Portugal

Cropped Punch-Needle Snapshots by Adrienna Matzeg Stitch Memories of Portugal

August 21, 2024

Grace Ebert

“Petiscos” (2024), cotton, polyester, white oak frame, 13 x 13 x 1.5 inches. All photos by Adrienna Matzeg, courtesy of Tacit Collective, shared with permission

Toronto-based artist Adrienna Matzeg stitches a tangible record of a trip to Portugal in Bebidas e Lanches, or Drinks and Snacks. Rendering photographic snapshots and souvenir tableaux in textured punch needle, Matzeg depicts the sights of a hot afternoon spent around a table with friends. Framed by negative space, the compositions often appear cropped like reference photos to show a particular perspective and capture the sensory memories of travel, which the artist bolsters with titles like “Jet Lag in Lisbon” and “Sprained Ankle in Albufeira.”

Tins of sardines, espresso at a sidewalk cafe, and a beer at the beach emerge from the cotton canvas in lush fibers. “There is such a rich culture surrounding food in Portugal that I discovered while travelling. This became a jumping-off point for the work,” the artist shares. “Colour really defines my memories and plays a pivotal role in narrating the stories within each piece.”

Bebidas e Lanches is on view now at Toronto’s Tacit Collective. Keep up with Matzeg’s work on Instagram.

“Jet Lag in Lisbon” (2024), cotton, polyester, linen, white oak frame, 13 x 13 x 1.5 inches

Detail of “Jet Lag in Lisbon” (2024), cotton, polyester, linen, white oak frame, 13 x 13 x 1.5 inches

“Sprained Ankle in Albufeira” (2024), cotton, white oak frame, 13 x 13 x 1.5 inches

Detail of “Petiscos” (2024), cotton, polyester, white oak frame, 13 x 13 x 1.5 inches

“Quarter to Four” (2024), cotton, polyester, white oak frame, 17 x 21 x 1.5 inches

“Sardinhas” (2024), cotton, polyester, linen, white oak frame, 13 x 13 x 1.5 inches

“Carapau” (2024), cotton, linen, white oak frame, 8.5 x 8.5 x 1.5 inches

#Adrienna Matzeg
#embroidery
#Portugal

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