Ideas from everywhere, materials from Mallorca
- Leela brings textile naturalness into the world of interior design
- Her pieces carry an eccentricity akin to works of art
- She collaborates with interior designers, architects, and art directors
Although originally trained in the healthcare sector, Leela Romeo discovered the craftsmanship of various cultures during her travels around the world. "To understand a culture, you have to visit its food markets and eat what the locals eat; the same applies to artisans and their craft," says Leela. She explains that the masters who taught her the most were often unknown artisans. "Experimentation, practice, and a genuine desire to redefine the artistic landscape also taught me a lot," she explains. Leela's entrepreneurial journey began in 2019 when she opened a shop to sell her creations. “I bought cotton and scraps, unleashed my creativity, and applied macramé techniques I had learned in India, adapting them to a large scale.”
Interview
- Do you think you chose your career, or did it choose you?
- The craft chose me. After presenting my contemporary textile art project, the Consell de Mallorca assigned me to the craft of trimmings. For me, it has been an honour to represent those wise grandmothers who embroider and weave around the fire while enjoying good conversation.
- How are Mallorca and your works connected?
- I mainly work with wool from Mallorca. Some comes from my neighbour's sheep, which I wash and felt myself. The rest I purchase from a wool factory that is part of a social project on the island of Mallorca. It is circular and local work.
- What inspires your creativity?
- Textures spark my curiosity, making me want to recreate something similar. A compelling narrative from a great artist can give me goosebumps and inspire me to create. Nature also plays a significant role.
- Could you explain more about your adage ‘Looking back to move forward’?
- It is about having problem-solving skills during critical moments. Those periods of creative block, or when your work finds little reception or no outlet. It is the responsibility of each of us to rise again after we stumble. Artisans do not belong to the vast machinery of fast products.
Leela Romeo is a rising star: she began her career in 2019 and she started teaching in 2020
Where
Leela Romeo
