Zita Echevarría

Bookbinder

©Teresita Colsa de la Serna

With emotion and dexterity of hand

Zita finds inspiration in the everyday and her surroundings
She has trained with bookbinding masters all over Europe
Her pieces seek to convey emotion

Zita Echevarría's academic training began at the Faculty of Fine Arts where she studied, and she soon turned to specialise in bookbinding and paperwork. Her training has been led by multiple artisans, both national and international bookbinding masters, including Marisol Chávarri (Taller de Villanueva), Ana Jessen, Martin Melin, Pamela Moore, Godelieve Dupin de Saint-Cyr (Atelier d'Arts Apliqués du Vésinet), JA Argenta, among others. Currently, Zita combines her work in bookbinding, calligraphy, collage, and photography with teaching in her workshop. Her creations include books, folders, photo albums, conservation boxes, and witness books. "The first works I did were watercolours and clay sculptures, and when I opened my own bookbinding workshop, the first piece I handmade was a book," she says. "The techniques I master are sewing, casing, gilding, and restoration."

Interview

©Teresita Colsa de la Serna

©Teresita Colsa de la Serna

Did you always know you would dedicate yourself to this craft?: Artistic expression is intrinsic to me. My encounter with bookbinding happened by chance and on the recommendation of a friend. But I have always felt a great need to create and work with my hands.
What is the relationship between your craft and the territory?: The relationship of my work with the place where I live is very close thanks to the history of bookbinding in Spain from the time of the Arabs to the present day.
How do you view craftsmanship in today's world with so much technology?: I believe we are at a moment where we are returning to value roots, origins, and all things handmade given the saturation of the digital world. The connections hands have with the brain cannot be achieved in any other way.
Can you share a memorable moment from your professional life?: The first workshop I taught, in 2021, after the Covid pandemic, was at the Fundación Casa de Mexico in Spain. It was a children's workshop in which I taught how to make an accordion book. It was very emotional because of the situation and because I was able to reconnect with people. I enjoyed the authenticity and the emotion of each piece of work immensely.

Zita Echevarría is a master artisan: she began her career in 1990 and she started teaching in 2000