Portuguese artist Marita Setas Ferro has been selected as one of the 30 finalists of the Circle Foundation for the Arts (CFA) Chicago Contest, standing out among more than 182 participating artists from a diverse range of artistic practices, styles and media. The international selection was organised by the Circle Foundation for the Arts, whose curatorial process sought to identify distinctive approaches to contemporary art while bringing together diversity, inclusivity and a

Portuguese artist Marita Setas Ferro has been selected to be featured in the upcoming 101 Art Book: Pattern Edition, published by the Arts to Hearts Project, an international platform dedicated to celebrating and amplifying the voices of women artists from around the world. The selection follows a highly competitive international open call that received a significant number of submissions from artists across the globe. After a careful review by the Arts to Hearts Project’s ed

In Marita Setas Ferro interview with PÚBLICO, she looks back on a journey shaped by different experiences, techniques and places — from Beira, Mozambique, to Porto, and today to exhibitions and international projects. One of the most unexpected stories in that journey is also the origin of one of the most distinctive elements of her artistic practice: crochet. Marita discovered the technique at the age of 42, while accompanying her daughter to workshops. While her daughter wa

"My artisanal background shapes my practice, from early ceramics to textiles, fashion, and sculpture. Working with thread and soft materials, I create tactile forms that invite touch, exploring materiality, intimacy, and a sensory dialogue between body and object." To see more here

"Anemones in Volcanic Rock is an artistic representation of marine natural elements. These elements of sea and land (corals, anemones, starfish, shells) are seen through a magnifying glass and reinterpreted through textile sewing techniques – knit and crochet. Although these techniques are very traditional, the way they are applied results in an initial surprise in which there is a confrontation between the tradition present in the techniques and the innovation of form, aesth

"With its kaleidoscope of colours, underwater marine life has been an eternal muse for textile artist Marita Setas Ferro. Luminescent corals, vibrant sea anemones, and shimmering sea beds are reinterpreted through intricate knitting and crochet techniques with her deft hands. Blending craft, culture and contemporary expression, the Portuguese artist brings alive marine and geological forms with yarn and needle. As part of her ongoing series, Things in Nature, a collection of

Marita Setas Ferro’s Soft Architectures of the Sea explores the beauty and fragility of marine ecosystems through contemporary textile sculpture. Using traditional crochet and knitting techniques with recycled and upcycled materials, the exhibition reflects on sustainability, environmental responsibility, and the delicate balance between regeneration and erosion in ocean life. By inviting visitors to experience the works through touch and proximity, the exhibition highlights

Soft Architectures of the Sea brings the textile art of Portuguese artist Marita Setas Ferro to the Visions Museum of Textile Art (VMOTA) in San Diego, California. The exhibition features nine textile sculptures created between 2018 and 2024, all inspired by marine ecosystems. Through their diverse forms, textures, and colors, the works encourage visitors to reflect on the importance of protecting ocean life while inviting them to experience the sculptures through touch. Acco

Portuguese textile artist Marita Setas Ferro is bringing her latest body of work to Southern California with the exhibition Soft Architectures of the Sea, now on view at the Visions Museum of Textile Art (VMOTA) in San Diego. Running through 10 October 2026, the exhibition showcases a collection of sculptural textile works inspired by the intricate beauty and fragility of marine ecosystems. Through the traditional techniques of crochet and knitting, Marita transforms textile

Marita Setas Ferro has been selected to participate in NATURAL FLOW – The 2nd Edition, an international exhibition hosted at MUST – Museo Storico della Città di Lecce, Italy, from 3 to 18 July 2026. Curated by Dr. Carmela Loiacono, the exhibition brings together 24 contemporary artists from around the world to explore the symbolic and environmental significance of water. Through a diverse range of artistic practices, NATURAL FLOW reflects on water as a source of life, transfo

Marita Setas Ferro has been selected to participate in the London Art Show 2026, presented by Arrival Gallery, taking place from 10 to 12 July 2026 in Fulham, London. The exhibition will bring together a diverse group of contemporary artists from around the world, offering visitors the opportunity to experience a wide range of artistic practices and perspectives in one of London's vibrant creative districts. Recognized for her innovative textile sculptures that combine tradit

Portuguese textile artist Marita Setas Ferro presents her new solo exhibition, "Soft Architectures of the Sea," at the Visions Museum of Textile Art (VMOTA) in San Diego, California, further strengthening the international presence of contemporary Portuguese textile art. On view from June 27 to October 10, 2026, the exhibition features a collection of textile sculptures inspired by marine ecosystems, inviting visitors to reflect on sustainability, ocean conservation, and the

Marita Setas Ferro has been featured in the 44th issue of Spotlight Magazine, an international publication by the Circle Foundation for the Arts that showcases outstanding contemporary artists from around the world. In this edition, the magazine presents "Blue Coral Reef", a textile sculpture that reflects Marita’s ongoing exploration of materiality, craftsmanship, and organic forms. Created through intricate crochet and textile techniques, the work embodies her distinctive a

Marita Setas Ferro’s artistic practice is highlighted in Issue 9 of Artiste Culture , under the title The Language of Touch . The feature explores an approach that moves fluidly across disciplines such as textiles, sculpture, and design, proposing a continuous language grounded in sensory experience and direct engagement with materials. Rooted in an early, intuitive relationship with matter—shaped by time spent in a ceramics studio—her work evolves into textile-based sculptur

Marita Setas Ferro has been selected to take part in the 8th edition of Personal Structures – Confluences , organised by the European Cultural Centre, within the framework of La Biennale di Venezia 2026 in Venice. Her participation is supported by the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, the project’s funding body, reinforcing the foundation’s commitment to the internationalisation of Portuguese contemporary art. The exhibition will run from 9 May to 22 November 2026 across Palazzo

Marita Setas Ferro has been featured in issue #43 of Spotlight Magazine, a publication released by CFA Press, known for documenting and promoting contemporary artistic practices on an international scale. Spotlight • Contemporary Art Magazine presents a carefully curated selection of fine artists from across the globe, offering readers an insightful overview of what defines contemporary art today. The 43rd edition invites audiences to explore a dynamic and ever-changing artis

An article published on the European Climate Pac t website features the journey and work of Marita Setas Ferro as an EU Climate Pact Ambassador, with a strong focus on sustainability. The article explores how ethical fashion practices, conscious design, and long-term responsibility can generate real and measurable impact. It highlights an approach rooted in transparency, respect for people and natural resources, and a clear commitment to fostering positive change within the

Marita Setas Ferro is featured in Spreads Magazine with an in-depth article highlighting her textile sculptures and artistic practice. The feature explores Marita’s multidisciplinary approach, where traditional needle techniques such as crochet and knitting merge with contemporary art, design, and sustainability. Her sculptural works—often inspired by marine ecosystems—balance craft and innovation, transforming textile processes into expressive, immersive forms rich in textur

Marita Setas Ferro has been selected to exhibit her work at Art Fluent, as part of the exhibition IN THE PINK . Once dismissed as overly sweet, pink has claimed a new role—bold, confident, and unapologetically expressive. From soft blush tones to electric vibrancy, IN THE PINK explores the full spectrum of this powerful color. Moving between flesh, atmosphere, and the natural world, pink reveals its playful, radiant, and emotive nature, infused with warmth and intensity. Wit

Organized by the Circle Foundation for the Arts, the Artist of the Year Award is an international opportunity open to artists working in the field of fine art. Selected artists receive a range of prestigious titles and professional opportunities designed to strengthen their artistic profile, expand international visibility, and promote their work to a broad and engaged audience of art lovers and professionals who regularly visit the Circle Foundation platform in search of new