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Rita Teles Garcia from KROH

Bones of the Trade #1

Rita comes to FICA at least once a month. From April, she'll be coming more often due to a new workshop.
She is the first guest of Bones of the tradequestions and answers about inspirations, motivations, but also growing pains.

Rita Teles Garcia da Kroh
Rita Teles Garcia from KROH - FICA Oficina Criativa

Do you have any pieces on display at home?

Yes, I do! A tapestry in my bedroom, embroidered in punch needle and with burel appliqués, all in big blue! And I have some prototypes and tests scattered here and there!

What techniques do you use to build your pieces?

Punch needle, traditional embroidery, crochet and tufting.

Where do you find inspiration?

Cliche question! A cliché answer, but true. Every day my eye encounters great little details, whether in nature or in man-made constructions. I love architectural details, shadows, lines, planes, textures. The same goes for
applies to nature, finding small shapes, compositions and textures.

Rita Teles Garcia da Kroh
Rita Teles Garcia from KROH

Do you wear your own clothes?

With great pleasure! Especially the earrings, necklaces and some of the clothes I make!

Of all the pieces you've made so far, which is your favorite?

Difficult... the cocoons I made for the Studio Astolfi for the Hermès, the play Argemela
for the Transformation exhibition and the sculpture Fruit bowl for Factory for the exhibition at
Lisbon By Design 2023.

How many family members and friends have received a piece from you over the years?

Only a few! Perhaps only the most important ones!

Rita Teles Garcia da Kroh. Punch Needle
Rita Teles Garcia from KROH
Rita Teles Garcia da Kroh. Punch Needle
Rita Teles Garcia from KROH

What takes up the most space in your workshop/atelier/studio?What is the predominant color in your pieces?

The tufting screen!

What do you do when you get to the workshop?

I make a cup of tea! I sit down and plan the day's work.

Can you work on more than one piece at the same time?

Yes, depending on delivery times. I'm usually working on several fronts.

On average, how long does it take to produce a piece?with or without an apron?

Without an apron, usually!
It depends a lot! If I have more projects or if I'm dedicated to 100% one piece. A tapestry can take between two and four weeks.

What are the bones of the trade?

Back and wrist pain! Lack of investment!

Rita Teles Garcia da Kroh. Punch Needle
Rita Teles Garcia from KROH

At what age did you learn the craft you use to make your pieces?

I learned crochet very early on as a child. Embroidery, too, I learned during my free time at primary school. Punch needle and tufting are new!

What do you wish you knew how to do but haven't had time to learn?

I'd like to go deeper into ceramics.

Do you keep a graphic diary?

Always. Sometimes more daily, sometimes less, but always with me.

Do you plan your pieces in detail, or do you define them as you go along?

Yes, I plan. For commissioned work, it's essential. But in the free series I do, it also ends up happening, because I need to see with some distance the viability of the project in terms of technical execution and also because I like to know in advance what's going to come out! The number of pieces I plan to make, the colors I want to use and so on.


About the artist

Rita Teles Garcia da Kroh. Punch Needle
Rita Teles Garcia from KROH / Punch Needle

Text by the artist

Rita Teles Garcia is the person behind KROH. She grew up in Fatela and came to Lisbon, where she lives and works, to study Fine Arts. She studied equipment design for three years, but graduated in sculpture. She worked for 9 years in the educational service of the now defunct Museu Coleção Berardo, where she developed activities and gave guided tours.

He began collaborating with Studio Astolfi on commissioned sculptures in 2016, by
for example the Cocoons for Hermès, and later joined the team as a sculptor,
he has worked on a wide variety of projects in a wide variety of materials for numerous clients such as
Castro, the Grahams or the F.S. Ritz. She continues to work with the studio as coordinator of the art department.

In parallel, she created her first personal project in 2012, exploring crochet as a technique
based on various accessories, but in 2017 it turned the page and began a new cycle with the current
KROH.

She explores textiles through tapestries embroidered in wool on linen and sculptures made in crochet with materials such as raffia, sisal and wool. Unlikely combinations between materials are a constant, as can be seen in the ceramics collection, in which she combines crochet details made from arraiolos wool with bowls and vases.

He is currently collaborating with various studios and organizations on projects that are usually
associated with textiles and sculpture.

WEBSITE
INSTAGRAM


Workshops at FICA

Rita Teles Garcia from KROH regularly comes to FICA to teach. She brings her crafts to the workshop, so you'll find workshops in punch needle, crochet and, soon, tufting.

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Rita Teles Garcia da Kroh