Patricia Leite: Landscape of Legend
An enchanting tapestry recently made its debut at Thomas Dane Gallery, as part of the exhibition Paisagem de Lenda (Landscape of Legend), evoking precious wisdom that has not only become too elusive in modern-day life – but is in danger of being lost forever. Mumuru (por Burle Marx) (2024), by Brazilian artist Patricia Leite, made with São Paolo-based, Uruguayan tapestry maker Jorge Francisco Soto, draws on the beauty of the Brazilian landscape and stories that Leite grew up with from the Tupi-Guarani indigenous people.
Image: Portrait of Patricia Leite, photo by Vicente de Mello. Image above: Patricia Leite, Mumuru (por Burle Marx), 2024 (detail), high warp kilim (tapestry), wool, cotton, polyester, acrylic, 150 x 400 cm. 59 x 157 1/2 in. © Patricia Leite. Courtesy the artist, Thomas Dane Gallery and Mendes Wood DM. Photo: EstudioEmObra.
Shaped like a lake, woven with the enchanting flower Vitória Régia (or Giant Lily Pad) – known as mumuru, or in Britain – Victoria Amazonica, the tapestry evokes a haunting story long associated with the flower, presenting stories and art, as guardians and protectors, of knowledge fast disappearing.
‘Listening to the stories again, I was moved by the legend of the Vitória Régia (or Giant Lily Pad) and decided that this would be the theme of the exhibition,’ says Leite. ‘And the narrative would revolve around a full moon and a lake of Vitória Régia. At that moment, I imagined this lake on the ground, as a tapestry.’
The story tells of a young girl, Naiá, captivated by the goddess Jaci who is embodied by the moon. Naiá dreamed of becoming a star so she could shine alongside the goddess, attracted to a lake where she could see the moon’s reflection – where she drowns. Jaci rewards her sacrifice by turning her into a unique star, that would float on water – the giant lily, whose white petals open at night for the goddess.
‘I already heard the legend of the Vitória Régia (or Giant Lily Pad), just like all the other tales of Brazilian folklore,’ explains Leite. ‘But these legends inhabit the universe of childhood; they stay in memory. I started hearing them again with my granddaughter, and all of them speak of the importance of defending the environment, of protecting our forests, our rivers, our life, as the indigenous peoples have always done.’
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Shaped like a lake, woven with the enchanting flower Vitória Régia (or Giant Lily Pad) – known as mumuru, or in Britain – Victoria Amazonica, the tapestry evokes a haunting story long associated with the flower, presenting stories and art, as guardians and protectors, of knowledge fast disappearing.
‘Listening to the stories again, I was moved by the legend of the Vitória Régia (or Giant Lily Pad) and decided that this would be the theme of the exhibition,’ says Leite. ‘And the narrative would revolve around a full moon and a lake of Vitória Régia. At that moment, I imagined this lake on the ground, as a tapestry.’
The story tells of a young girl, Naiá, captivated by the goddess Jaci who is embodied by the moon. Naiá dreamed of becoming a star so she could shine alongside the goddess, attracted to a lake where she could see the moon’s reflection – where she drowns. Jaci rewards her sacrifice by turning her into a unique star, that would float on water – the giant lily, whose white petals open at night for the goddess.
‘I already heard the legend of the Vitória Régia (or Giant Lily Pad), just like all the other tales of Brazilian folklore,’ explains Leite. ‘But these legends inhabit the universe of childhood; they stay in memory. I started hearing them again with my granddaughter, and all of them speak of the importance of defending the environment, of protecting our forests, our rivers, our life, as the indigenous peoples have always done.’
Want to read more of this article?
We are proud to be a subscriber-funded publication with members in 185 countries. We know our readership is passionate about textiles, so we invite you to help us preserve and promote the stories, memories, and histories that fabric holds. Your support allows us to publish our magazine, and also ‘what's on’ information, and subscription interviews, reviews, and long-read articles in our online blog.
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER? CLICK HERE TO ACCESS CONTENT
OR...to continue reading….
*Magazine subscribers automatically get free access to all our online content. We send the access code by email with the publication of each issue. You will also find it on the envelope containing your magazine. Please note the access code changes every issue.*