Welcome to the circus: With artist Alejandra Oviedo
Inside the Artist’s Studio: The Making of the Circus Collection
Born in Bogotá, Colombia, visual artist Alejandra Oviedo finds inspiration in the beauty of everyday life — the places, people, objects and moments that surround her. Deeply influenced by the colour, texture, music and culture of her Colombian heritage, Alejandra brings her stories to life through drawing and embroidery. For her, embroidery is more than a medium; it is a practice in patience, connection and quiet reflection. We sat down with Alejandra to discover more about her creative world and the inspiration behind our Circus Collection.
What was the starting point for the Circus Collection, and how did you bring the idea to life through your illustrations?
I have always been influenced by circus-related themes—specifically the costumes and poses of the performers—so my starting point was to look for images from the 1920s through the 1950s to capture those incredible, gravity-defying poses one doesn't see every day. I also immediately turned to the work of Alexander Calder, who created miniature stages featuring various circus characters; all of this inspired me to create my own mini-version for Philé.
When did you start creating art?
Ever since I was little :-) I've always been very curious about learning and experimenting with crafts using different art materials.
How do you stay inspired and motivated in your work?
The things I have around me, my family, friends, my students, the people who support my art, my house and my plants.
Can you talk us through some of the details, characters and motifs you created for the collection, and the story behind them?
When creating characters for my embroidered mini-worlds, I often look for poses of jugglers or circus performers to draw inspiration from their costumes, their physical flexibility, and the unique ways they communicate through their bodies. So, when Anna invited me to collaborate on a circus-themed project for Philé, I was thrilled; it made me more conscious of creating hybrids and playing with the interplay between people, animals, and plants.
I also wanted to mix different techniques—paper cutouts, gouache, pastel, and colored pencils. I wanted to play with them and bring them to life.
What is your favourite thing about creating art?
Learning something new from each project, experimenting with new techniques, and bringing to life the ideas I had in my head.
How does your personal background and culture influence your art?
Almost everything! I'm very inspired by my culture. Colombia is one of the countries with the greatest variety of flora and fauna, and I always reflect that in my work through colors, textures, and shapes.
Can you tell us about your creative process?
I usually carry a sketchbook with me in which I write down and draw ideas and everything related to the project I'm going to work on. I create a color palette, look for the most suitable technique and start creating the final piece.
What is your favourite time of day to work?
In the morning, I start a new day with good light and feel mentally refreshed.
Who are some other creatives that inspire you?
Julia Sarda, Elizabeth Haidle, Daniela Ocampo, Mariem Abutaleb, Isidro Ferrer and Rajesh Vangad
How has social media impacted your work?
Being able to connect with people from different parts of the world and find inspiration in the work of others.
Philé has had the pleasure of working with Alejandra across various projects over the years, and we feel incredibly grateful to continue creating together. Her distinctive approach to colour, storytelling and embroidery brings such a special quality to everything she creates, and it has been a joy to bring her world to life through the Circus Collection. Discover more of Alejandra’s beautiful work via her Instagram and website.
