Material Memory and Poetic Surfaces

Rosanna Bottiglieri was a resident member of Textiles Hub London between 2018 and 2019. During her residency she developed an experimental body of printed textiles and mixed-media works that explored natural dyes, layered surfaces and the poetic possibilities of printmaking. Building upon her teaching and research at the Working Men’s College in Camden, her practice embraced textiles as a place of material enquiry, where colour, memory and process unfolded slowly through making.

Originally from Italy and based in London, Bottiglieri’s work occupies the fertile ground between textile design, printmaking and fine art. Her softly patinated surfaces, subtle natural colour palettes and richly layered compositions reveal an artist deeply attentive to the expressive qualities of materials. Rather than seeking polished perfection, she embraces chance, weathering and accumulated marks, allowing each piece to develop its own quiet narrative.

Experimentation has always been central to Bottiglieri’s practice. Working across natural dyes, monoprinting, mixed media and stitched surfaces, she continually explored new combinations of techniques and materials. Particularly memorable are her Lost World series of monoprints and mixed-media portraits, in which figures emerge through translucent layers of colour, texture and gesture. These evocative works possess a remarkable sense of atmosphere, suggesting fragments of memory uncovered through the act of making rather than straightforward representation. During her residency she also produced a striking geometric rag rug that revealed her ability to translate painterly thinking into tactile construction.

Alongside her studio practice, Bottiglieri has been committed to education, sharing her knowledge of printmaking, natural dyes and textile processes through teaching. Her work demonstrates how sustained experimentation and generous pedagogical practice can enrich one another, allowing technical enquiry to remain open, inquisitive and responsive throughout a creative life.

Rosanna Bottiglieri’s contribution reflects an important aspect of Textiles Hub London’s ethos: creating a place where experimentation is valued as highly as professional recognition. Her residency exemplified the Hub’s commitment to supporting artists who use textiles as a vehicle for research, reflection and discovery, encouraging practices that privilege curiosity, material sensitivity and lifelong learning. In doing so, she reminds us that innovation often grows quietly through sustained investigation, and that the cultural value of making extends well beyond conventional measures of success.

Further information: https://www.instagram.com/rosanna2266/