Artist Residency: Coquelicot Mafille

Coquelicot Mafille

Connecting the unseen lines that trace through experiences.

In a recent podcast interview, artist Coquelicot Mafille mused over a seemingly simple question: "Where does one discover more art?" Her response, concise yet profound, resounded deeply: "The Forest!" With these two words, she evoked visions of complexity, harmony, beauty, and fluidity. And perhaps, within this answer, she summoned something even greater, for shortly after, Coquelicot was selected as Hotel Belmar’s latest Resident Artist.

Born into a family steeped in artistic traditions — her father a painter and art instructor, her mother a fashion designer — Coquelicot initially diverged, immersing herself in Political Science. However, her journey into the arts began with writing, a medium that would later evolve into embroidery, the expressive media that has distinguished much of her art. The link between writing and embroidery is tangible, demanding concentration, flow, and intricate hand movements. In Coquelicot’s embroidery aesthetic, lines, traces, and pauses intertwine to weave narratives drawn from her personal "archives" — a repository of moments and memories captured in spontaneous sketches and notes.

From bustling urban streets to the tranquil embrace of Monteverde's cloud forest, Coquelicot now immerses herself in novel surroundings, melding Costa Rica's wild beauty with her urban artistic sensibilities. With a mind unburdened by expectations, Coquelicot approaches her craft with meditative deliberation. Stories of justice and injustice, empowerment and disenfranchisement, are reframed through her diverse cultural lens. She believes that life is a tapestry of layers and juxtapositions, where colors and geometry dance in rhythm, breathing openness into every moment. Fueled by a deep love for travel and an understanding of how multicultural experiences infuse dreams, language, and leisure, her artistic expression is poised to flourish with a fresh collection of "archives."

During her Art Residency at Hotel Belmar, Coquelicot immersed herself not only in Monteverde's breathtaking natural landscapes but also in its diverse human community. Encounters with the area's diverse wildlife, including coatis, agoutis, and a myriad of birds, were seamlessly intertwined with her exploration of the region's rich Quaker heritage. Coquelicot found herself drawn to their celebrated woodworking skills, which echoed her own fascination with chairs and benches as vessels of memory, preserving fleeting moments that linger in the shadows of the past. Eager to embark on her first exploration of Monteverde, she set out on a quest to decipher a new language — one spoken by nature, objects, and memories alike.

Coquelicot's Art Residency culminates with the exhibition titled "Dialogue and Reverence". Her diptych, "Observing the landscape while dreaming", embodies the essence of her Monteverde experience, seamlessly blending her fascination with benches as metaphysical conduits and her deep connection to nature. This captivating piece has found a new home in Hotel Belmar's esteemed private collection.

ARTIST STATEMENT

In the week of my artist residency at Hotel Belmar in Monteverde, Costa Rica, I have grown ever more attuned to a new environment of burgeoning relationships, blue skies, and verdant landscapes. I am profoundly thankful for the opportunity to immerse myself in the forest's emotive whispers, to become part of the region’s vibrant dialogue of life. Climbing into the treetops, I've found clarity in the profound sensations that have accompanied me since childhood. Everything around me pulses with life, each organism holding its unique perspective and place within the world. This experience has reaffirmed the interconnectedness of all beings—flora, fauna, and human—and the shared construction of our reality through individual and collective consciousness. Acknowledging that humans are just a fragment of this intricate web of life, I recognize the urgency for our species to embrace and learn from the non-human entities that surround us.  This is not just an ideal but a necessary shift towards a sustainable coexistence and a deeper engagement with the myriad forms of life on Earth, promising a richer, more integrated existence.

ARTIST BIO

Born in Paris and now based in Milan, Coquelicot Mafille embodies a diverse heritage shaped by her nomadic and multicultural sensibilities. Fluent in multiple languages, she draws inspiration from her rich tapestry of experiences. Raised in the vibrant urban landscape of Paris, where her French, Italian, and Danish roots intertwine, Mafille's art echoes the eclectic essence of her upbringing.

Transformation lies at the core of Mafille’s artistic expression. By challenging the conventional boundaries of embroidery and seamlessly integrating it with painting, pottery, and collage, she breathes life into every line, infusing it with rhythm and openness. Her meticulous process, devoid of pre-cut pieces or mechanical aid, reflects a profound reverence for the craft’s tradition.

Drawing from her background in political science and writing, Mafille infuses her art with layers of depth, reflecting her belief in the intricate fabric of life. Each of her pieces, whether through thread, cut vinyl, or pieces of clay, tells a vibrant and bold story, woven with colorful complexity and beauty.

To learn more about the artist and her works:

WEB: https://coquelicotmafille.tumblr.com/

INSTAGRAM: @coquelicotmafille

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