Gancedo at Madrid Design Festival 2024 with the exhibition “Yarns that Weave a Story”

At their flagship store at Velázquez, 38, in the framework of the Madrid Design Festival, Gancedo have unveiled the exhibition “Yarns that Weave a Story”, an artistic expression exploring the influence of textile art on interior design.


Through the work of the artists Federico Antelo (@Federicoantelogranero) and Raquel Rodrigo (@arquicostura), the company invites us to undertake a fascinating journey encompassing two different artistic techniques and styles which share yarn as the core element of their creations.

Federico Antelo

The work of this plastic artist, textile designer and teacher of art and design is centred around experimentation with handicraft printing techniques and the creation of unique pieces emerging from these artistic experiences.

“After many years relying on the usual platforms of painting and drawing, I started to see in textiles a huge field that was still unexplored, at least by me, in which I could develop my pictorial work. I became fascinated by the ability of fabric to transform design simply through its flow. This dynamic aspect means that we perceive it in a constantly changing and surprising way. What’s more, textiles transcend the purely artistic environment, meaning that they provide an enormously versatile platform for those of us who are seeking to challenge artistic conventions,” he tells us.

“Double Drape” at Gancedo

In “Yarns that Weave a Story”, Antelo presents the work “Double Drape”. This piece, a print on Beret linen fabric by Gancedo, explores the power of colour as an agent capable of shaping diverse visual landscapes and realities. Inside the showroom, we find a second “Double Drape” piece: the binnacle which recounts the creative process itself.

“The creative process of this work is focussed precisely on highlighting the capacity of colours to alter the perception of shapes. Although it may seem simple, it’s a complex process and truly fascinating to observe how shapes are transformed, interweave and separate depending on the colour palette applied. The dialectic between shape and colour is what lends structure and direction to the whole project, and the different experiences arising from this premiss can be clearly seen from beginning to end in all the printed pieces.”

"Gancedo by Arquicostura: Casa Hogar"

As for Raquel Rodrigo, she is taking part in the Exhibition with “Gancedo by Arquicostura: Casa Hogar” (House Home). Arquicostura is a project which originated in 2011 to take traditional cross-stitch back to the streets, turning it into a second skin for buildings, lots and even apparently insignificant places. An initiative through which the artist has reclaimed cross-stitch as an unseen, feminine artform, melding innovation and tradition.

“In the last few years, we’ve witnessed a notable increase in the presence of street art through impressive urban murals created by renowned artists all over the world. This trend seems to me to be extremely enriching, since it breaks down the traditional barrier between spectator and museum, rendering art accessible to everyone, anytime, anyplace,” Raquel tells us.

An installation that arouses emotions

In the Gancedo installation, embroidery is used to represent in words the feelings that emerge when a house is being decorated and turned into what we call a home.

“My main objective with “Casa Hogar” is to arouse emotions in the spectator and take them on an introspective journey reconnecting them with their memories of home, roots and childhood. Through this installation, I’m hoping to encourage reflection on the importance of choosing our home, and how this space influences our wellbeing and personal and family development,” Raquel tells us.

Textile art in interior design

Taking advantage of the opportunity of having these two textile artists with us, we wanted to talk to them about textile design and its relationship with interior design.

How do you see the future of textile art in the context of interior design?

“Textile art plays a crucial role in the creation of sensory spaces, a trend which is becoming more and more appreciated as a contrast to the digital age. Its varying textures and colours grant us a multisensory perception, allowing us to experiment with touch and our sense of smell, owing to the fragrance of the different natural fibres we come across. Besides, its focus on natural, recyclable materials contributes to sustainability. The integration of innovative technologies, such as intelligent fabrics, promises to open up practical, new creative frontiers in interior design,” Raquel tells us.

Federico points out that “since time immemorial, we’ve relied on textiles to enhance and make our spaces liveable. Their warmth, versatility and adaptability mean that they are always an essential element in the design process. Although new materials and techniques may emerge, textiles will continue to provide a vital platform for art and be an indispensable component of interior design.”

How can textile art transform an interior and which aspects in particular benefit from its inclusion?

“There is no doubt that the key lies in the qualities of textiles as material. Their ability to lend warmth and adapt to different spaces and circumstances make them the perfect ingredient for interiors. Also, we subconsciously associate fabric with the feeling of being covered and sheltered, so transferring those feelings to the setting of the home provides reassurance. Fabric is the closest thing to our bodies, so it’s natural to want to keep it close by in our everyday surroundings,” says Federico.

According to Raquel “textile art can add texture and size, softening or adding visual interest to flat surfaces like walls and furniture. Plus, its colours and patterns can change the atmosphere of a room. In terms of design, its inclusion allows us to play around with scale, proportion and repetition, achieving balance and harmony in the space. It also makes it more welcoming and individual, by introducing elements of comfort and warmth.”

How do you see the relationship between textile art and other artistic disciplines such as painting, sculpture and photography, in interior design?

“They are different ‘voices’ which come together to tell the same story, that converse so as to construct a coherent discourse in the space. The important thing is not homogeneity of forms, but rather, judging the balance between them. Personally, I always appreciate an imperfect balance, with certain dissonant touches. I believe that differences create spaces which are more alive, where life is more interesting.”

“Textile art blends perfectly with any piece or artistic expression that exists in an interior,” claims Raquel.

The exhibition "Hilos que tejen historias" (Threads that weave stories), made up of handcrafted works of art, can be visited at the Gancedo Flagship Store until 28 March.