Roberta Terra

ROBERTA TERRA (Padua, 1982).
“Red Poppies,” 2024.
Collage of recycled clothing on canvas
Certificate of authenticity included.
Measurements: 70 x 64 cm.

In “Red Poppies,” Roberta Terra brings her distinctive textile language to the realm of floral representation. The composition features several open poppies, constructed by layering fragments of garments in an intense range of reds, oranges, and maroons, enlivened by small accents of yellow, green, and white. The contrast with the dark centers enhances the depth of the corollas and draws attention to their internal structure.

The fabric cutouts function as textural brushstrokes: their irregular outlines and the diversity of weaves create variations in light, relief, and texture. The artist also makes use of the folds and edges of the fabrics to suggest the delicacy and movement of the petals. The organic outline of the panel departs from the conventional rectangular format and extends the shapes of the flowers outward, bringing the work closer to sculptural relief.

The poppy, traditionally associated with fragility, memory, and transience, takes on a monumental presence here. This celebration of an ephemeral natural form is marked by the reuse of materials previously destined for the trash. Terra thus transforms textile waste into a vibrant and enduring image, linking beauty, transformation, and environmental awareness.

Roberta Terra was born in Italy and currently lives and works in Madrid. After living in London for thirteen years and building her professional career in the fashion industry, she shifted her artistic practice toward reflecting on the environmental impact of the textile sector. She has participated in The Other Art Fair in London, Artists 360, and the Akelarre Art Fair in Madrid, as well as various group exhibitions in London, Madrid, and Milan. Her work is included in private collections.