Eco-friendly art
- Javier specialises in handmade sun mirrors and straw animal trophies
- His work combines tradition, modernity and avant-garde design
- He organises and promotes collaborations between artisans
One spring day in 2017, American actress Sarah Jessica Parker entered a cozy workshop in Malasaña, a hip district of Madrid. Fascinated by the woven bull, rhino, reindeer and deer heads hanging on its walls, she met the artist, bought two of his 'ecological trophies', took a selfie with him and posted it on the internet. Thanks to Parker’s Instagram post, Javier S. Medina’s work now commands international attention. His eco-friendly items, woven from the native grasses of Spain, are popular among actors, models and diplomats. He's come a long way since moving to Madrid from Badajoz, Extremadura, with dreams of becoming a successful artisan and restorer, setting up his first studio in a garage he renovated in the style of an old-school workshop.
Discover his work
INTERVIEW
I have always liked creative work, art and craft techniques. As a child, I remember my grandfather often working with natural fibres on the patio of his house. I first learned from him, then I studied restoration with Marisa del Real when I arrived in Madrid.
I learned braiding techniques using natural grass fibres such as esparto, enea and pleita with craftsmen from my region and other parts of Spain. I make the ecological trophies with a shoemaker’s needle. I create the mirrors with a burin, knife, hammer and scissors.
Where I come from, the natural fibres I work with are still present in everyday objects. I wanted to do something that said who I am, where I come from and what my story is. My 'ecological trophies' are a nod to the bullfighting world without harming the animal.
My goal is to revitalise traditional crafts and combine them with other sectors, such as fashion and interior design. One example is the handcrafted jackets I made in collaboration with fashion designer Carlota Barrera. Fortunately, craftsmanship is once again becoming more and more valued.
3 EXPERIENCES
