I Find Little Treasures

February 14 — June 20, 2026

About the Exhibition

Medium-format textile objects and sculptures make up this exhibition, whose investigative interest is to construct fragments of landscape in order to sew/weave/crochet a space of belonging. The creative process begins with my wanderings through spaces of memory, such as bazaars, antique shops, and public markets in the city where I live. There I find, collect, and incorporate into my work porcelain, tableware, ornaments, and handicrafts that once inhabited homes unknown to me. As if they were little treasures, I carefully nest these objects among the soft branches of the textile sculptures so that the attentive gaze can discover them. This gesture of collecting, weaving, and nesting allows me to feel my own feet on solid ground, in inhabited space.

In my work, I explore the realm of textile language due to my curiosity about the vast array of material and technical possibilities it offers. Through the use of second-hand materials, I conduct experiments to construct, sew, and shape objects and sculptures. The resulting creations possess organic, soft, and flexible forms that not only intervene in physical spaces but also evoke a realm of imagination. I find that textile materiality stimulates a wide range of sensory experiences, engaging both touch and sight. It allows me to bring tangibility to the landscapes I visit, observe, and document. Additionally, I explore the intricate life processes of organisms in the botanical world, including their diverse microorganisms. As a migrant body, I see both the artistic language and the materials and subjects I study as mechanisms to connect with others and their contexts. Through this process, a profound sense of attachment and familiarity with inhabited places is generated.

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Exhibition Gallery

A vibrant sculptural piece featuring intertwined fabric twists in shades of pink and maroon, topped with a beaded purple spiral and a gem-like center.

Nested/Anidada 2025

Recycled fibers and clothes; embroidery with beads; small found objects. Sewing, embroidery.
Patchwork fabric sculpture resembling a multi-textured creature with floral and dotted patterns. It has a quirky, playful vibe with an eclectic mix of colors.

Nested II /Anidada II 2025

Recycled fibers and clothes; ceramic. Sewing, embroidery, ceramic.
A soft, abstract sculpture features vibrant red, floral patterns and a pink, coral-like element, conveying a playful and imaginative tone.

Flourish/Florecer 2025

Recycled fibers and clothes; ceramic. Sewing, ceramic.
Abstract sculpture with vibrant blue, yellow, and purple swirling patterns, resembling intertwined fabric with a playful, dynamic feel.

Flourish II /Florecer II 2025

Recycled fibers and clothes; ceramic. Sewing, ceramic.
A colorful, abstract textile sculpture featuring blue checkered fabric intertwined with patterned, beaded elements, conveying a feeling of intricate creativity.

Nested from my home/Anidada desde mi casa 2025

Recycled fibers and clothes; embroidery with beads; small found objects. Sewing, embroidery.
Abstract textile sculpture with intertwined swirling fabrics in orange, red, and pink hues atop a floral-patterned base, evoking a sense of dynamic motion.

Nested from my home II/Anidada desde mi casa II 2025

Recycled fibers and clothes; ceramic. Sewing, ceramic.
A sculpted figure resembling orange intestines with a textured surface, resting on a neutral background. It evokes curiosity and a surreal, artistic vibe.

I find little treasures I /Encuentro pequeños tesoros I 2025

Recycled fibers and clothes; embroidery with beads; small found objects. Sewing.
A vibrant sculpture composed of intertwined, plush purple and pink fabric tubes, forming a complex, abstract shape on a neutral gray background.

I find little treasures II /Encuentro pequeños tesoros II 2025

Recycled fibers and clothes; embroidery with beads. Sewing.
A complex yellow sculpture features knotted, satin-covered tubes intertwined with a delicate, web-like mesh. The structure evokes curiosity and creativity.

I find little treasures III /Encuentro pequeños tesoros III 2025

Recycled fibers and clothes; embroidery with beads; small found objects. Sewing.
A porcelain ball with floral patterns is encased in vibrant blue velvet folds, resembling a blooming flower. The tone is elegant and luxurious.

I find little treasures IV /Encuentro pequeños tesoros IV 2025

Recycled fibers; small found porcelain. Sewing.
A handcrafted art piece featuring a circular design with a maroon center, decorated with a purple net pattern and surrounded by a beaded border.

I find little treasures V /Encuentro pequeños tesoros V 2025

Recycled fibers and clothes; embroidery with beads; small found ceramic. Sewing, found object.
A whimsical, abstract sculpture featuring a green, spiral-shaped outer layer, with an inner section of teal and white stripes, and textured pink elements.

I find little treasures VI /Encuentro pequeños tesoros VI 2025

Recycled fibers and clothes; embroidery with beads; small found ceramic. Sewing, found object.
A plush, conical sculpture with green velvet and floral patterns resembles a soft Christmas tree. A small white bear sits atop, adding whimsy.

I find little treasures VII /Encuentro pequeños tesoros VII 2025

Recycled fibers and clothes; small found ceramic. Sewing, found object.
A colorful, tangled web of various patterned ropes and strings on a white background, forming an intricate, abstract star-like design.

Rhizomatous landscape I /Paisaje Rizomatoso I 2026

Recycled fibers and clothes; small found objects. Sewing, found object.
Abstract textile art piece with layered textures: pink cushions, crochet lace, green and gray patterns, and purple accents on a white backdrop.

Small Garden/Pequeño Jardín 2024

Crochet and small found objects. Sewing, crocheting and small found object.
Colorful textile sculpture with intertwined ropes and tubes in yellow and pink, resembling a flower. Central crochet pattern adds intricate detail.

Small Garden II/Pequeño Jardín II 2025

Crochet and small found objects. Sewing, crocheting and small found object.
A colorful hanging bag against a gray background. The top is purple, and the bottom is white with pink floral patterns. A yellow tassel hangs below.

Coccoon/Capullo 2025

Recycled fibers and clothes; small found objects. Sewing, crochet and small found object.

About the Artist

Vanessa Freitag

Vanessa Freitag is originally from Santa Rosa, Brazil, and now based in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico, where she lives and works. Currently, she combines teaching with artistic practice, in which she develops research on contemporary textile language. Her research topics of interest revolve around Mexican crafts and the study of the natural landscape, where, at the same time, she thinks about her identity as a migrant.

Financial support is provided by the City of San Diego.

This activity is supported in part by the California Arts Council, a state agency.