Weaving Nature and Life
Longtime friends and artists Solenn Heussaff-Bolzico and Olivia d’Aboville, bring together textile and canvas works in their most recent exhibition.
By Art+ Magazine
December 28, 2024
Collaboration work by Heussaff-Bolzico and d’Aboville.
VĪTA delves into the connection between nature and the human experience. This recent exhibition at Provenance Gallery features longtime friends and artists Solenn Heussaff-Bolzico and Olivia d’Aboville, bringing together the paintings of Solenn and the textile works of Olivia. Through their individual and collaborative works, the two artists have created a stunning fusion of natural elements, textiles, and emotions.
Collaboration work by Heussaff-Bolzico and d’Aboville.
Collaboration work by Heussaff-Bolzico and d’Aboville.
Curator Stephanie Frondoso notes that “the exhibit examines humans’ deep and complex relationship with nature, perceptions affected by the changing light of day, shifting moods and emotions, infinite individual contexts, and the impact of human agency on the environment.” She adds, “Heussaff’s monumental triptych is an immersive encounter, looming over the viewer, as a forest does, eliciting the sublime—that simultaneous feeling of marvel and disquietude when faced with nature’s mighty grandeur.”
Both artists agree that nature has always been a key theme in their individual practices. “Nature is one of my recurring themes. Ever since my first exhibition, I’ve been focused on the need to preserve the environment, especially our oceans,” Olivia explains. For her, life began in the ocean, and she believes that we can save the planet by reconnecting with nature, especially through its most vital ecosystems like the ocean. As Olivia’s work has evolved, her exploration of nature expanded from the ocean to a broader focus on vegetation and the environment as a whole.
Artist Solenn Heussaff-Bolzico
Solenn also shares a deep connection to nature, noting that in her last solo show, she began introducing natural elements into her work as well. “We align in many ways,” she says, pointing to their shared experiences as mothers and artists. Both are passionate about exploring how the human experience and nature intersect—how nature grows, heals, and reflects the progression of life.
The collaboration between Solenn and Olivia was an organic process. According to Olivia, nothing was forced; it simply fell into place. “We didn’t start with a specific vision in mind. It just grew naturally,” she shares.
“Incipere (coming to existence)” by Solenn Heussaff
“Navitas (energy_ardor)” by Solenn Heussaff
Solenn selected three of her paintings to print onto fabric, a medium Olivia was already familiar with from her previous work with textiles. These prints would become the foundation of their collaboration. The process of transforming paintings into fabric involved intricate steps, from distortion and pleating to final stitching. Solenn began by distorting the colors of her original paintings to create something new, while Olivia took these prints and stretched them across lengths of fabric—12 yards for one, 10 yards for another. The transformation allowed the original paintings to be presented in a different light.
The optical illusion created by the fabric’s texture—where some fibers are thicker and others lighter—mirrors the ever-shifting colors and moods of nature. “If you move from left to right or up or down, you’ll see that the intensity and density of the colors change,” Olivia explains.
Artists Olivia d’Aboville
Landforms I
Landforms IV
Olivia, a textile designer by training, has always been drawn to the tactile nature of materials. Growing up surrounded by rich Filipino textiles and weaving traditions, she found herself drawn to fibers like silk, abaca, and raffia, materials that have deep cultural significance in the Philippines. For her, weaving is not just a technique; it’s a way to tell stories.
Olivia reflects on the intricate labor behind the creation of the fabrics she uses: “Everyone who is involved in the weaving process infuses their own energy into the fabric, their own happiness and struggles.” Olivia’s reverence for the materials and the people who work with them can be seen in how she highlights the back of the textile works, often neglected in traditional presentations. By adding pops of yellow and focusing on the knots, she brings attention to the unseen elements—the stories, struggles, and efforts embedded in the process.
Solenn’s approach to painting involves a layering process, both physically in the work and metaphorically in the emotions it captures. She explains that she starts with a palette—often a mood board—but that it’s never a rigid plan. “It’s a mix of emotions that come through as I paint. Depending on my mood, the time of day, and what’s happening in my life, I add layers,” she says. This process reflects her belief that life itself is full of layers—emotions, people, and experiences building upon one another.
Solenn also draws a parallel between her work and the cycles of nature. “We wanted to show how things happen in life that we can’t control,” she notes. “Beautiful things come about, but sometimes sad things happen, just like how flowers wilt away.” It’s the cycle of life, growth, and transformation. “Art is like life,” she says. “Something shows up, and you decide how to work with it or around it.”
This acceptance of change, of imperfection, and of the unexpected is what makes their collaboration work. Through their unique artistic practices, the two artists reflect on the ways in which we are all interconnected with the natural world and how, just like nature itself, we are constantly changing, evolving, and healing.
