Natalie Estay Valenzula: ‘Eso que te mueve’
Audio description of ‘Eso que te mueve’ by Natalie Estay Valenzula
Eso que te mueve la hermandad
Eso que te mueve poder chaway
Eso que te mueve trueque sureno
Artist’s statement
The Mapuche nation has more than 500 years of resistance, which started against the Spanish entering the Araucanía region and continues today, against a government which is drowning in a pool of blood and extreme injustice. This nation spans what is now known as the south of Chile and parts of Argentina and is where my grandparents were born and raised. However, talks of Indigeneity were frowned upon and therefore no knowledge of family history and lineage is really known.
This collection of my collages and photographs comes from a sense of frustration mixed with my love for shapes, colour and for culture. The images in this collection were taken in Santiago de Chile, during several protests and marches for the Mapuche resistance and also in the South of Chile, where I was fortunate enough to spend time learning within community and with organizations advocating for recognition and justice.
Natalie Estay Valenzula is an Australian/Chilean artist who designs and produces a selection of print-focused artwork, fashion accessories, custom made and repurposed clothing.
Natalie Estay Valenzuela is a mindful and colourful brand, with an intention of low wastage, handmade and showcasing inspiration and connection from her South American heritage and life experiences.
Natalie studied Fashion & Textiles design at Central TAFE in her hometown Perth, Western Australia. She then ventured to explore and lived in South America for a few years before finishing a BA in Textile Design at RMIT in Melbourne, where she currently resides.