My name is Mariana Piñar Castellano, and I am a textile artist and educator. I hold a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Granada (Spain) and an MFA in Fiber Arts from Cranbrook Academy of Art (USA). My practice is rooted in a deep commitment to material exploration and technical skill, primarily developed in my home studio. I am passionate about textile processes and their potential for both functional and expressive outcomes. I am particularly interested in the poetic and metaphorical dimensions of working with textile materials and techniques, and how these processes can evoke emotional and conceptual narratives. What drives my work is the ongoing dialogue between tradition and experimentation, and the meaningful connection that arises from making by hand.

My primary craft is weaving, which I have practiced for the past ten years. I also work with dyeing—using both natural and synthetic processes—as well as printing techniques and embroidery. My interest in textile crafts began in childhood, taught and nurtured by my mother. Weaving remains central to my practice due to its structural logic, tactile quality, and meditative pace. However, I continuously explore other techniques to expand my visual language. I am especially drawn to processes that allow for experimentation and material transformation, and I value the depth and complexity that emerge when different techniques intersect.