Sofia Eleni Escobar: Cast Shadow (Hespeler)

Curated by Ashlyn Gregory

Situated at the intersection of art and mathematics, Sofia Eleni Escobar’s innovative installation Cast Shadow reflects the rich heritage of textile production in the village of Hespeler. Expanding upon traditional methods of textile manufacturing, the artist creates three-dimensional woven sculptures that challenge the conventions of form and space. Escobar’s upbringing in Peru and Ecuador also informs her practice as she strives to examine and reproduce the distinct patterns and colours evident in Andean textiles.

Her sculptures interact with the natural light by producing shadows that undulate and twist like an optical illusion. Using colour, shape, and negative space to create meaning, Escobar’s sculptures and pen and ink illustrations invite viewers to reconsider their perception of textiles and their relationship with space. However, the intricate linework remains open to interpretation and there is no overarching narrative of what one should “see” within the work. Instead, Escobar employs complex algorithms to lay out abstract grid patterns that constitute a visual language and create a dizzying effect that engages the viewer’s attention.

 

About the Artist Sofia is a Toronto-based artist with a multicultural background from Peru, Ecuador and Canada. She graduated from OCAD University with a degree in Material Art & Design: Fibre. Her work intricately explores the fusion of materiality and spatial dynamics through complex thread sculptures and line drawings. Driven by a fascination with textile construction, Sofia's art delves into architecture, optical illusions, and the human experience within these crafted spaces, examining the intersections between her creations and their surroundings.

Sofia has shown her work in various mediums, including textile art at The Textile Museum of Canada (2015), film at Jackman Hall AGO (2014) and recently has created site-specific installations at Ontario Place (2023) and Nathan Phillips Square (2022) as well as a solo exhibition at Pierre Leon Gallery in Toronto (2024).