Maria Appleton (b.1997) is a textile artist based in Lisbon.
Questioning the subjectivity present in urban systems, Maria Appleton’s practice finds its material form an ongoing research of colour and form developed through multiple techniques of dyeing, weaving and printmaking. Her pieces unravel as chromatic in-prints onto a juxtaposition of layered cotton, silk and other industrial fabrics, defining a series of vibrant abstract transparencies.
Probing architectural conceptions of space, she defies human perception by translating optic perspectives and tracking bodily movements. Appleton delves into the dialogue established through the interaction of bodies in space, two elements that endure in a constant symbiotic relationship of metamorphosis with light. She sees the viewer as an active participant in the conception of the object itself, involved in a progressive sensorial experience open to interpretation.
Speculating on the nature of liminal spaces, a stage of emotional or physical alienation, her production merges multiple layers of geometric codes that together create cartographic compositions connected to conscious spaces of collective memory. Traversed by subversive political tensions dealing with climate awareness, social injustices, current economic systems and technological evolution the artist includes urban elements such as posters, logos and statements complemented by critical symbolisms such as a woven thick black stripe which interrupts the work itself, as a moment of pause or grief. The artist negotiates tangible presence and symbolic absence in her compositions, meaning to trigger memories, dreams or physical sensations. Appleton chains, through these methods, a set of pulsing experiences, meant to trigger a part of an universe where the architecture of public and private meet.
Maria Appleton’s work has been featured in institutional and artist-led exhibitions, as well as international residencies. She was selected for a residence in Kyoto Institute of Technology (2018, Kyoto, Japan), at EMMA Institute where she developed “Nicht eine Stadt, die war; stadt bad” (2020, Pforzheim, Germany) and invited by the Institut Français to be a resident in Cité international des Arts (2022 in Paris, France; funded by Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation). Appleton has premiered in 2021 with an individual exhibition at FOCO Gallery in Lisbon with the solo show “Gaze to see, Gauze to perceive,” and exhibited a new body of works two years after with HATCH Paris in February of 2023. More recently, in February 2024, she presented a new series of works at Juan Vergez private collection in Buenos Aires and at the invitation of Hubert Bonnet she is now and up to May 31st in residence at the Fondation Cab in Brussels.
Exhibitions
SOLO:
2024
Open Studio at Fondation CAB, Brussels, BE
Unperceptibles; Espacio Tacuarí (Vergez Collection), Buenos Aires, AR
The Storing skin, Membrana da sedimentação; Casa da Cerca, Almada, PT
2023
Memory Breaks; ARCO Madrid, Galeria Foco (Booth 9OPo4), Madrid, ES
Is there yet Space for Light; Hatch, Paris, FR
2022
Open Studio at Cité International des Arts, Paris, FR
2021
Gaze to see, Gauze to perceive; Galeria Foco, Lisbon, PT
Reflexions upon Space; ÚTERO, Lisbon, PT
2020
A System of Thing-Shapes; sound installation collaboration with Miguel Alves (slowmo.mike), Cosmos Campolide, Lisbon, PT
2015
[Woven textiles piece]; MU.SA - Museu das Artes de Sintra, Sintra, PT
GROUP:
2024
How does it feel on the tongue? Fabric Arts Festival, Massachusetts, USA
[Visual installation] Ufonic Festival, Mono, Lisbon, PT
Random, AZAN Contemporary Art, Lisbon, PT
Highly Confusing Times, Arbag, Lisbon, PT
The Myth Makers, Hatch (curated by Barbara Newman), Milan, IT
ARCO Madrid, Galeria Foco, Madrid, ES
2023
So close, come on; Badr el Jundi, Madrid, ES
L'art c'est le vent; Monaco
2022
Open Studio with Catarina Pinto Leite, Castelo di’f, Lisbon, PT
Garage Band; Hatch, Paris, FR
If Only; Mono, Lisbon, PT
Active Activism Act; IDEAL, Barcelona, ES
2021
Amuse-Bouche; Galeria Foco, Lisbon, PT
2020
Nicht eine Stadt, die war; stadt bad virtual reality exhibition (part of EMMA Kreativecentrum Residencie), Pforzheim, DE
Showcase of Portuguese Young Artists; Pousio – Arte e Cultura, online
2019
Places in Between Nowhere and Everywhere; Chelsea College of Arts, London, UK
Paper and Objects; Triangle Space, Chelsea College of Arts, London, UK
2018
Showcase at Premiére Vision Paris (Chelsea College of Arts stand), Paris, FR
Residencies
2024
Fondation CAB (invited by Huber Bonnet), Brussels, BE
2022
Cité International des Arts, with the special support from Institut Français and Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Paris, FR
2020
Designers in Residence, EMMA Kreativecentrum, Pforzheim, DE
2018
Textiles Summer School, Research Programme Scholarship; Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto, JP
Achievements
2019
Old Soles New Souls, award-winning project for Nike’s Material Innovation Competition
Award-winning project for Zara VIEW.S (live competition project)
2014
2nd Prize, drawing competition Vasco Descobertas, FIL, Lisbon, PT
Press
2024
Apre a Milano la HATCH Gallery di Parigi, format senza sede (per ora) per artisti emergenti. Artribune, www.artribune.com
2023
Rochebouët, Béatrice d; Artmonte-Carlo: des œuvres phares et un tout petit monde. www.lefigaro.fr
Au-delà de la foire... « L'Art, c'est dans le vent ». www.lequotidiendelart.com
Une exposition : « Is There Yet Space For Light », la première exposition personnelle de Maria Appleton. Sloft Magazine, www.sloft-magazine.com
2022
Les nouveaux talents de l'art envahissent un garage désaffecté sur l'initiative du duo Hatch. Número, www.numero.com
Maria Appleton; Windows Cry Neon, an Olfactive Journal. Folie À Plusieurs, www.folie.space
Institut Français. Résidences à la Cité internationale des arts; www.pro.institutfrancais.com
2021
Site-specific dances of synthesised weaving. DATEAGLE ART, www.dateagle.art
Fresh laundry of hypnotising hues. DATEAGLE ART, www.dateagle.art
Amuse-Bouche, na Galeria Foco. Umbigo. www.umbigomagazine.com
2020
Virtual Presentation. Designers in Residence in Pforzheim 2020. Klimt02, www.klimt02.net
Maria Appleton; auprès Journal (Tête-à-tête); www.aupres-aupres.com
Prática e Luminosa; Urbana (Magazine), November Issue; www.urbana.com.pt
Designers in Residence, Scholarship Holders; www.emma-pf.de
Project: Vogue Union | João Magalhães, o autodidata, Vogue Portugal; www.vogue.pt
2019
Nike; www.arts.ac.uk
Chelsea BA Textile Design students collaborate with Zara Kids; www.arts.ac.uk
Zara X Chelsea; www.arts.ac.uk
2018
BA Textile Design Research Trip to Kyoto Institute of Technology; www.arts.ac.uk
Reads
2021
All I WANT, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian; exhibition review, Brotéria, September 2021
2020
O Tecido, O Trato, A Trepadeira; Legómena, Brotéria, April 2020
2019
Appleton, Maria. Places in Between Nowhere and Everywhere, Splash Books
Education
2016
BA (Hons) Textile Design, Chelsea College of Arts, London, UK
2015
Graphic Design Foundation Course, Camberwell College of Arts, London, UK
2014
Painting Short Course, Ar.Co, Lisbon, PT
2012
Escola Artística António Arroio (Artistic School), Lisbon, PT