Tiago Braga

Oiamo Estudio

Textile creator

©Lufe Torres

Finding the contemporary thanks to the ancestry

Tiago's work stems from immersive fieldwork in indigenous areas of Southern Brazil
He repurposes ghost nets, plant fibres and salvaged wood to craft modern home pieces
Growing up, his family valued handwork as a language of care, livelihood and daily ritual

Since 2019, maker-researcher Tiago Braga has been working in a nomadic way of life that allows him to spend long stretches of time working side by side with indigenous communities to learn practices rooted in southern Brazil traditions. He uses a variety of techniques such as felting, embroidery, hand sewing, textile sculpting, and braiding to repurpose local materials, from fishing nets and plant fibres to reclaimed wood, creating home objects that are contemporary. "My objects are also born of relationships that I have had. They carry stories, not just functions,” says Tiago. His work was exhibited at the Pavilion of Art and Design in London in 2024. "For me, this affirms that craft can occupy prominent global stages and spark meaningful reflection on identity and sustainability,” he adds.

Interview

©Sabrina Gabana

What draws you to the materials you use?: I am drawn to materials that carry memory and that are connected to territory. Wool is deeply tied to the pampas landscape and rural life. Felt allows me to shape volume through gentle sculptural gestures. Plant fibres and organic waste bring me closer to natural cycles and the idea of regeneration. Each material is symbolic in its own way.
How did your connection with indigenous communities come about?: I became involved in collaborative design initiatives in indigenous territories focused on fostering creativity and ancient knowledge passed down verbally. I believe in co-authorship processes that honour traditional rhythms and ways of knowing.
How does your upbringing influence your craft?: My grandmother was a seamstress, my mother a teacher and craftswoman, and my father a musician. At home, making things by hand was never separate from daily life. This environment taught me that creating is a gesture of care for the world, and it prepared me to listen closely to materials, people, and the territories I connect with.
What role does ancestry play in your creative process?: Ancestry exists not only as a memory of the past but as a force that shapes the present and inspires the future. In line with Ailton Krenak’s thinking, I understand the 'ancestral future' as the idea that the knowledge of our ancestors and nature are fundamental drivers of innovation to imagine and build sustainable futures connected to the Earth.

Tiago Braga is a rising star: he began his career in 2019 and he started teaching in 2019