Roberta Terra

ROBERTA TERRA (Padua, 1982).
“Venustas Fragmenta - Part I,” 2020.
Collage of recycled garments on a wooden panel.
Certificate of authenticity included.
Measurements: 102 x 76.5 x 4 cm.

In her series “Venustas Fragmenta,” Roberta Terra constructs a female portrait by layering and assembling textile fragments of different shades and textures. The composition, rendered in an essentially monochromatic palette, is structured around cut-out planes that shape the face through light and shadow hallmarks. The frontal gaze and the figure’s striking proximity lend the image an intense presence, situated between figurative representation and the fragmentation characteristic of collage.

The material quality of the piece is particularly evident in the hair, crafted from fibers and threads that protrude from the surface, adding volume, movement, and irregularity. In contrast to the more geometric structure of the face, these elements introduce a tactile and organic dimension that reinforces the uniqueness of the technique employed.

The title, “Venustas Fragmenta,” alludes to a beauty constructed from scattered parts. Fragmentation here functions not as a rupture, but as a process of recomposition: discarded garments, previously linked to the body and identity of the person who wore them, acquire a new existence by being integrated into the portrait. In this way, Terra connects the representation of women with a reflection on the memory of materials, consumption, and sustainability, transforming textile waste into artistic material.

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 exploring the environmental impact of the textile sector. Her work is based on the reuse of garments and fabrics, with which she creates figurative compositions characterized by a strong materiality. She has participated in art fairs such as The Other Art Fair in London, Artists 360, and the Akelarre Art Fair in Madrid, as well as in group exhibitions held in London, Madrid, and Milan. Her work is included in private collections.