Cristina Rodrigues (artist)

Cristina Rodrigues graduated in Architecture (2014) and completed a Master's degree in Medieval and Renaissance History (2007) at the University of Porto, Portugal. Later she moved to England where she lectured at university in Manchester and was awarded a PhD in Art and Design at Manchester School of Art (2016).

In 2011 Rodrigues was awarded a research grant by the Arts and Humanities Research Council to develop her ongoing research project Design for Desertification. She then focused her research work on the study and register of Portuguese territories with low population density. She also began to create some of her most poignant contemporary art work, and textiles became her trade mark from the outset. The recurring use of satin ribbons, industrial fabrics and lace has been a distinguishing feature in her aesthetic narrative.

Manchester, the old textile capital of Europe, became her chosen home for seven years and during this time Rodrigues focused on the study of Contemporary Art. By combining her many interests, namely culture, oral traditions and textiles, she created The Blanket, one of her most emblematic works. The original version of this contemporary art installation was made with Idanha-a-Nova's traditional instrument, the adufe, cotton lace and satin ribbons.

In her art Rodrigues celebrates the role of women in contemporary society. Items which are characteristic of the female universe are used in her works of art. Cotton lace, satin ribbons, glass and crystal necklaces are combined with iron and musical instruments in order to build narratives. Ready-made necklaces bought in the pound shop are combined with luxurious china, in an eclectic blend creating an analogy with contemporary society.

Emigration, a theme which is particularly relevant to her generation, is addressed in some of her work, namely the sculpture Grapes of Wrath, inspired by John Steinbeck's work. Herself a migrant, for several years Cristina collected furniture that had belonged to migrants from the various communities in Manchester. The contemporary art installation titled Bourgeois comprises four chairs previously owned by an Iranian family living in Stockport, United Kingdom. Like these, several other conventional furnishing underwent an intervention by the artist, transforming them into luxury objects.

During her artistic career Cristina Rodrigues worked in partnership with different public and private entities and some of the most significant Portuguese brands. Rodrigues has been working closely with the Porto lace mill - Fábrica de Rendas Portuense, - since 2011. This mill still produces cotton lace using original industrial revolution machinery, acquired from a mill in Leicester, United Kingdom. Recently, Cristina Rodrigues collaborated with other brands such as: Licor Beirão, the artist produced a large scale iron sculpture titled The Fountain of Happiness with Licor Beirão glass bottles; ICEL, a cutlery brand and the Portuguese shoes brand FLY London, which inspired her art installation titled Urban Dwellers.

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