Pilar Ureña Escariz

Knitter

©Nuria Padrón

Craftsmanship for a cause

Pilar knits banana fibre in crochet, tricot, embroidery and lace techniques
She has an artistic family heritage and Brazilian ancestry
A strong social conscience characterises her work

Pilar Ureña Escariz’s mind, in constant musing, stops for a moment to contemplate the roads that have led her to craftsmanship. A chain of synchronised events opened the doors to creative opportunities for her. Pilar journeyed from philosophy, cultural and social projects to a career in International Cooperation in Macaronesia. It was in the Canary Islands and Cabo Verde, which are both abundant in banana plantations, that she discovered the versatility of banana fibre. She still researches and explores its many textile applications using a variety of needlework techniques today. Pilar has worked banana fibre since 2017 for interior décor, architectural lining projects and fashion accessories and is actively involved in social projects to teach her techniques to local communities seeking other options to strengthen their economies.

Interview

©Nuria Padrón

©Nuria Padrón

How did you first come across your craft?: I was working on a social craft project with women in Gran Canaria. Industrial threads were too expensive. I discovered banana fibres and a way to implement local resources at a sustainable price.
Was there a special turning point in your professional path?: A renowned singer from the Canaries asked me to knit him a banana fibre costume for a performance paying homage to plantation workers. After this, I got a call from the Canary Islands Institute of Technology to design special packaging for Canarian products. The project was not executed, but it confirmed that my craft was in the public eye.
What is something most people do not know about your craft?: Most people who work with this plant use the stem as a major source of fibre, while I use the last leaf to shoot, called the flag leaf. I have researched its malleability, strength, and all types of uses in knitted form.
What was your first product commission?: I designed a series of lamps for a Mexican gourmet restaurant in the Canaries. Though it was an experimental prototype, I called it Fiat Lux and indeed, it gave light to the new path I was setting out on.

Pilar Ureña Escariz is a master artisan: she began her career in 2000 and she started teaching in 2018