Gian Carla Tavelli
Untitled II, 2026
Fiber Sculpture
22 x 10 x 5.5 in.
Bio
Gian Carla Tavelli is a multidisciplinary artist currently in her first year of graduate study in the Fiber Department of Cranbrook Academy of Art. Tavelli was born and raised in Cochabamba, Bolivia, to a family of Italian and Bolivian descent. One of her most rewarding learning experiences was living in rural Haiti, first as a volunteer, teaching basic drawing to youth, then working with local women’s groups to help strengthen their organizations, and finally working for Aid To Artisans. Once back in Bolivia, she continued working with local artisans to exhibit their work and showcase the artistic talent of various Indigenous populations in the country. Tavelli graduated with a B.A. in Studio Art from the University of Maryland in 2024. In the search to create work that connects directly with nature, she incorporated natural dye processes into different types of fibers. Tavelli’s work is heavily influenced by her time as a Fulbright Scholar where she recently lived and worked with indigenous women in the Bolivia Amazon, producing a series of co-creative works with community members as a means to raise awareness of the fragile nature of this endangered ecosystem.
Statement
Reflecting on Todos Santos, I remember my Bolivian grandmother Mamá Adela, preparing special foods and favorite drinks to welcome the souls of our departed relatives. This annual tradition of honoring our loved ones who are no longer in the physical world-one built on devotion, effort and financial sacrifice-holds deep meaning for me. I still feel the love of my father and grandparents every day. These pieces represent my internal language for reconnecting with my long-lost loved ones. A calling that carries a physical presence to an intangible connection; a felt message reaching toward another world. The materials of the work carry their own transitional aspects as a conduit between the physical and the spiritual world.
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