I arrived in Mallorca in 2000, so I’ve now been living on the island for 24 years. I almost feel like a Mallorcan. Initially, I came for my studies. The plan was to spend a summer working here and then move to Barcelona to pursue a master's degree in digital animation. However, things don’t always go as planned…
I’ve always worked in design, even before finishing my studies. I started by collaborating with printing houses as a freelancer, and worked for a couple of years in a studio specialising in editorial design, and gradually ventured into web design. This transition happened when I started working in the design department of an internet service provider. It was a completely new world, and I found it fascinating.
Later, I decided to move to Spain to specialise in the digital field, and by then, I already had a solid foundation in web design. At the time, there weren’t any specific degree programmes, so I had to train myself in a largely self-taught way. In Mallorca, I began working in the design department of an online gaming company, and in 2006, I co-founded a web design and online marketing company with a partner. Although graphic design has never completely disappeared from my life, interesting projects always came up, especially in corporate identity, which I eagerly accepted because I loved it. Nowadays, I’m entirely focused on weaving, but far from abandoning design, I’ve integrated it as a creative source in my work.
In 2010, after the birth of my daughter, I felt the need to find an entirely manual activity, away from screens. I wanted something that connected with my creative side and allowed me to relax. I’d always been drawn to textiles, so I began attending embroidery, natural dyeing, and sewing workshops. Eventually, I discovered loom weaving, which marked a turning point in my life. My first serious workshop was at Openstudio 79 in Palma. My teacher, Silvina Moschini, noticed my interest and lent me a table loom to practise at home after the course ended. That gesture was decisive, and here I am, still weaving.
I use the term “micro-weaving” because I work with very fine threads, and my pieces tend to be small, like bracelets or small accessories. It’s meticulous, detailed work. I started by weaving narrow strips, playing with colours, and experimenting with combinations of threads I collected. Perhaps the small format also stemmed from the lack of space at home: I worked with a table loom in a tiny room. At first, I wove simply for the pleasure of creating, exploring colours, textures, and techniques, without any further ambition.
Nature is more of a companion than a direct inspiration, but its presence is essential. I live in a village surrounded by mountains, streams, and ever-changing landscapes that provide an endless source of beautiful imagery. Observing a sunrise, the colours of the seasons, or the details of stones and plants motivates me to sit at the loom.
Colour is the core of my work. I usually start by choosing a palette before thinking about the form. It’s an entirely intuitive process: one colour leads me to another, and in this way, I build combinations, textures, and forms as I go. It’s not easy to explain, but colour is my main guide in composition.
If it’s sunny, I love going to the beach, especially if I can find a quiet spot, which is becoming increasingly difficult in Mallorca. If it’s cloudy, I like staying at home watching films, reading, or simply weaving. There are so many things I enjoy doing.
There are so many wonderful spots in Mallorca, but one of my favourite areas is on the route between Esporles and Estellencs. There’s a small cove that fascinates me; its landscape is majestic and dramatic, truly unique.
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@marianamuravito
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