In this interview, we have the honour of speaking with María Ignacia Vergara, also known as Ina, a talented Chilean textile artist residing in Australia. With a journey full of creativity and artistic exploration, Ina has transformed her passion for embroidery into a unique form of expression that challenges the traditional limits of the craft. In this interview, she shares her fascinating path into the world of art, her connection with Australia, and her innovative approach to creating textile works. Don’t miss her participation in the upcoming Chile Sentido exhibition, where you will discover the depth of her work.
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF, YOUR STORY, AND HOW YOU ENTERED THE WORLD OF ART.
My name is María Ignacia Vergara, but people call me Ina. As far as I can remember, my personal space has always been an infinite world of creativity and artistic exploration in every sense. As a child, I would spend hours in my room singing, dressing up, painting, writing, cutting, and making art in every form. I was a very extroverted and cheerful child until I had an illness at the age of seven that kept me in hospital for nearly a month. I believe that was the turning point, when I became more introverted and quiet. During that time, art became key, a precious tool for support and comfort.
As the years went by and I finished school, I decided to study Visual Arts. My university was more focused on conceptual art, and I had the opportunity to explore various forms of artistic expression and refine the techniques that resonated with me the most. I’ve always been very drawn to abstract art, minimalism, and the creative process – the exploration of materials and how they interact and behave during experimentation.
WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO AUSTRALIA, AND HOW HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED YOUR ART FROM HERE?
My father was part of one of the Chilean families who came to Australia in the 70s. He spent much of his youth in Newport, Sydney. I grew up listening to stories about Australia, looking at photos, and meeting my Australian cousins. Both of my older sisters also lived here, so moving to Melbourne was always on my list since I finished school. In 2015, I finally left Chile to fulfil my dream of living in Melbourne, and I’ve never left the city since.
I began exploring textile art during a three-month trip, where I carried an embroidery hoop, a needle, various threads, and a nail clipper (all the essentials so they wouldn’t be confiscated at airports!). This is where I fell in love with embroidery! I drew inspiration from my travels, and through my passion for experimenting with materials and techniques, I developed my own embroidery style. For years, I carried it everywhere in my bag, embroidering all day, and I discovered how versatile the technique could be. I took part in several collective exhibitions and mainly focused on teaching the craft to both children and adults.
Ina’s journey was not only geographical but also artistic. Her move to Australia marked the beginning of a new phase of creative exploration, where she discovered embroidery as her primary medium. Her connection with materials is an example of how one’s surroundings can influence artistic evolution.
Nearly two years ago, I shifted my embroidery style, leaving behind the traditional round embroidery hoop to begin stitching on larger surfaces. Today, I paint colour compositions and embroider over them. I love working with colour; I find balanced colour compositions truly marvellous, especially when they are clean, polished, and subtle.
Although embroidering on a large canvas can be quite a feat and a workout for both arms and legs, I’m fascinated by seeing my finished works displayed in public spaces, where people can enjoy them just as much as I do.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ARTISTIC STYLE OR APPROACH?
I am a textile artist. Every piece I create is completely organic. I like to work on my art in the moment, adjusting and expanding it based on how it looks and how I feel about it. I don’t plan much, to be honest, aside from choosing the colours and the surface I’ll be embroidering on, haha.
One thing I do focus on is creating a harmonious composition in terms of colours, spaces, and ensuring the balance of visual weight – I hope that makes sense! I’m quite meticulous about my work being minimalistic and polished. If I paint the base before embroidering, it has to be perfectly clean, with sharp, neat lines, so the embroidery stands out over the rest.
Lastly, it’s important to note that each of my works is titled with a number (for example, “N208”). When a piece is finished, I count the number of knots, and that becomes its title.
Ina’s approach to art reveals an intuitive process, where spontaneity and experimentation are key. However, beneath this apparent freedom lies a meticulous attention to detail, a search for balance that gives her work a clear and distinctive identity.
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE THE PURPOSES BEHIND YOUR WORK?
Hmm, I find it difficult to pinpoint the purpose of my work, as it stems from such an organic and experimental creative process.
It’s meditative and repetitive – there are so many knots and lines that creating a piece is a very peaceful process. I can block out everyday thoughts and allow myself to focus all my energy on the needle passing through the fabric, on the tension of the threads, and on the composition of the embroidery.
I’ve conducted many embroidery workshops for both children and adults, and it’s beautiful to witness the connection that forms and how people are so excited to learn a technique that often seems complicated but can actually be quite simple – or can be whatever you want it to be! Embroidery is very versatile; it can be figurative or abstract, layered, raised, or flat. I love teaching the technique!
Ina’s work is not only about the final outcome, but also about the process itself. It’s a constant meditation, a way to connect with the present. Her focus on teaching shows how she shares this creative experience as an act of generosity and connection.
HAVE YOU BEEN INFLUENCED BY OTHER ARTISTS AND/OR ARTISTIC MOVEMENTS?
Minimalist art has always guided my work, as it emphasises simplicity and clean lines, with a focus on the essential aspects of colour and texture.
In terms of artists, James Turrell has had a significant impact on me. Although he works with light, I deeply admire the way he plays with illumination, colours, and how he creates spaces that evoke profound feelings in viewers.
Another artist I admire deeply is Anni Albers, who fused modernist abstraction with textile art, particularly in her exploration of patterns, repetition, and texture.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR RECENT PROJECTS.
Almost two years ago, I decided to transform my approach to embroidery, leaving behind the traditional round hoop. Since then, I’ve been working on larger surfaces, painting colour compositions on which I develop my embroidery. It has been a beautiful and enriching process, and I’ve had the privilege of creating large-scale commissioned works.
Chile Sentido will be the first exhibition where I’ll showcase my new art, and I’m incredibly excited about it!
WHAT WILL YOU BE SHOWING AT THIS EXHIBITION, AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE THESE PIECES?
At this exhibition, I will present a diptych that portrays the journey of migration, representing the physical movement from one continent to another through abstract textile art. I want to invite the viewer to reflect on their own migration experience.
The audience will be able to touch the embroidery, feel the threads, fibres, and the tension of the stitching with their own hands. I’d love for it to be clear when seeing and feeling my work that the meditative and repetitive process behind the technique is directly linked to my personal experience of migrating to this new country. It’s been a slow process of adaptation, perseverance, and cultural fusion.
WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS EXHIBITION?
I feel absolutely honoured to have been invited to participate in this exhibition and to be part of such an incredible group of talented artists living in Australia. I believe each one of us will bring something unique to this show, making it an unmissable event.
I have high expectations and am incredibly excited to meet new colleagues, share experiences with creative people, and learn from them. I hope to soak up inspiration to continue producing art and, hopefully, connect with the Sydney community supporting the exhibition. And finally, I’d love to see new opportunities and collaborations arise for the future!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read a bit about me, and I warmly invite you all to Chile Sentido – it will be a unique exhibition where you can witness a collective display of Chilean talent and culture. Most importantly, it’s the first exhibition of Chilean artists in Australia.
Email: mivstudioau@gmail.com Instagram: @inavergara.art
María Ignacia Vergara’s artistic journey is a testament to how art can be both a personal experience and a means of sharing with others. Through her dedication to embroidery, Ina has created a unique style and form of expression that transcends borders. Her participation in the Chile Sentido exhibition promises to be a milestone in her career and an opportunity for the audience to explore the depth of her textile art. Don’t miss the chance to experience Ina’s work in person and the message of perseverance and creativity that surrounds it.
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