Jan Hendrix’ series of seven tapestries depicts the mythological landscape of Yagul, in Southern Mexico. Since 2018, Factum Arte has supported Hendrix with the development and coordination of the production of these tapestries.

Yagul is a fortified archaeological landscape in the state of Oaxaca in the Tlacolula valley, dating to 1352. Here they have found mural paintings and in 2010 it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hendrix was amazed by the light, colours and flora and fauna of the Oaxaca landscape and Yagul has been a great inspiration for much of his work.

These Yagul tapestries are currently on display at the Casa Mexico, Madrid from June 7th until September 10th 2023. Some of these tapestries were previously on display at the Museo Universitario de Arte Contemporaneo (MUAC) in Mexico City from May 05 to Sept. 22 2019. 

Isabel Fernandez, Head of Tapestries at Factum Arte has supported the artist in each of the steps of the process, from the creation of digital high resolution files and tonal adjusts based on the original drawings provided by the artist, to textile artistic advice on the fibre composition and stitch to define the character of the final artwork and weaving evaluation of samples, to the finishing of the manufactured piece. The transformation from drawn mark to woven tapestry has a magic of its own.

A new weave was developed specially for this series: which required a technique allowing to translate the drawing language proposed by the artist into digital weaving. The second step, the weaving production, took place in Belgium, on a Jacquard 2.8 m wide loom with no pattern repetition. The weave was based on the long regular stitches of the weft yarns, interlaced with thin beige warp threads thus adding warmness to the monochrome piece.

Furthermore, to give a singular shine to the tapestries, a 100% silk composition on the whites was chosen. This is particularly noticeable in live confrontation with the piece. Additionally, the velvet black tones absorb the light and result in a very deep matt colour.

Finally, the most challenging step of the process was the production of the right medium grey tones. In order to create a final fine and a delicate piece that would preserve the qualities of the original drawing by Jan Hendrix, these had to be made with two different wool greys.

Jan Hendrix was born in 1949 in Maasbree, Netherlands. He has lived and worked in Mexico since the late 1970s. His practice encompasses architectural projects, installations, glass works, prints, as well as painting and writing. Factum Arte collaborated with Hendrix on several projects involving different supports such as Lazarote which required water-jet cuts and painted aluminium, Eclipse which required a double-layered mild steel and his latest tapestries series presented here below. His work has been the object of numerous exhibitions both in Europe and America. 

(Image coming soon)

(Image coming soon)

(Image coming soon)

Yagul Tree Crowns

 

 

 

 

Cactus Yagul

 

 

 

 

Yagul Tree Crowns

Yagul Tree Crowns

http://www.factum-arte.com/resources/images/fa/art/jan_hendrix/hendrix_production_5.jpg

Yagul Tree Crowns

Yagul Tree Crowns

Lithography Drawings

 

 

 

 

 

©Jaime Navarro for Jan Hendrix

 

 

©Jaime Navarro for Jan Hendrix

 

 

Opening of Jan Hendrix: Tierra Firme, Bonnefantenmuseum Maastricht. © Manor Lux

Opening of Jan Hendrix: Tierra Firme, Bonnefantenmuseum Maastricht © Manor Lux

Opening of Jan Hendrix: Tierra Firme, Bonnefantenmuseum Maastricht © Manor Lux

© Fundación Casa de Mexico

© Fundación Casa de Mexico

© Fundación Casa de Mexico

© Fundación Casa de Mexico