María Antonia Villaseñor-Marchal
Artist Statement:
As a Latina trans woman of Indigenous heritage, I feel that my reality is constantly in flux, and dreaming is always necessary, particularly in today's political and social climate. Growing up, I would escape into the fantastical worlds of my imagination to cope with what was confusing, isolating, and traumatic. Through the decolonization of craft techniques, the use of found objects, and the incorporation of ethically sourced natural fibers indigenous to the Western Hemisphere, I continue to engage with my childhood fantasy worlds through soft sculpture, weaving, fiber painting, textile installations, drawing, and collage. My childhood fantasies helped me to survive.
My work transports viewers and wearers into their unique fantasy worlds through the use of found, unconventional, and manipulated materials — mainly fully felted custom textiles and embellishments I create using found materials. Through my work, I challenge viewers to consider issues of cultural, social, spiritual, ecological, and political importance, and I hope to help them cope with their real lives regardless of perceived differences. Despite the fantastical nature of my work(s), I focus on using animal protein fibers (alpaca, bison, and wool) and crafting techniques traditionally assigned to women and marginalized populations throughout history. These processes ground the work firmly in the artistic and social contexts of my own life and connect me to my ancestors.
Bio:
María Antonia Villaseñor-Marchal is a Mexican-American, Indigenous artist and educator based in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Through her work, she melds traditional craft techniques (beading, weaving, and embroidery) with her background in fashion design, art history, and anthropology to create abstract, woven, and fully felted pieces that confront issues of identity, trauma, social justice, and the environment. Maria earned her MDes - Fashion, Body, and Garment, mentored by the artist Nick Cave, from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2020. Her thesis work earned her a Fellowship from the Luminarts Cultural Foundation and a solo exhibition at FACILITY (Chicago, IL). In 2022, Maria secured a residency with the HATCH program at the Chicago Artists Coalition, culminating in a duo show. Maria’s work has also been exhibited in shows with the Evanston Public Library, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Weaving School of Chicago. In 2026, Maria immigrated to Mexico full-time, where she has established an independent studio in San Miguel de Allende (@studiomavm). In this space, she continues to develop a sustainable arts practice through collaboration with a network of fiber farms (located throughout North and South America), allowing her to focus her work on cultivating and caring for animals and plants indigenous to the Western Hemisphere. Maria will have her premier exhibition in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, in May of 2026 at the La Huipilista Art Space, hosted by artist and curator Lena Bartula.