Wheat, Silk, Light: The Sculptural Language of ELIURPI
Elisabet Urpí and Nacho Umpiérrez met in Barcelona over 15 years ago and have collaborated professionally for just as long. Their creative partnership began organically, with Urpí producing small hand-sewn garments and accessories and Umpiérrez capturing them through photography. From the start, their understanding of each other was seamless, allowing them to build a shared artistic vision. Over time, their work has evolved into a full-fledged creative collaboration, leading to the establishment of ELIURPI, a name derived from the union of the two names Elisabet and Urpí.
Elisabet Urpí and Nacho Umpiérrez, ELIURPI. Photo by / Retrato por Agustí Carbonell.
ELIURPI became the foundation for their joint exploration of art, design and sculpture. What began as sculptural hats has evolved into large-scale art installations, furniture and sculptural hangings. They now create from the studio in a 17th-century building in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter.
Their shared interests in aesthetics and structure, combined with a mutual passion for craftsmanship, helped them establish the brand’s identity. They sought to break conventional barriers and redefine artistic expression through their combined efforts. Over the years, their creative synergy has allowed them to explore new dimensions in design, making their work distinct and highly recognisable. Urpí and Umpiérrez’s vision is closely tied to the philosophy of Panta Rhei (everything flows), a concept from Heraclitus that suggests everything is in a state of constant flux. This idea guides their work, emphasising impermanence and the transient nature of artistic expression. They aim to capture the essence of the moment they are experiencing, ensuring that each piece is an authentic representation of their present reality.
Mediterrania. Raffia and silk/Rafia de hilo de seda.
“We are inspired by architecture and contemporary art, observing and being surrounded by culture inspires us to create,” Urpí says. “Our sculptures are a reflection of the moment we are living in and our way of seeing and living life.” Their influences are vast, spanning modernist architecture, minimalism and abstract art. The duo believes in the power of observation, taking in their surroundings and filtering them through their creative minds to produce work that speaks to the contemporary world..
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Written by Thao Phuong
(thao.phuong1212@icloud.com)
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Image Credits:
Lead: Panta Rei: Padina - Textile sculpture of natural raffia. Escultura Téxtil de rafia natural. Image courtesy of Eliurpi.
All other images as credited in photo captions.