about
biography
Born in Mozambique to a Portuguese family, Sandra is currently based in Luxembourg. She holds a degree in Philosophy from the University of Coimbra, Portugal, where she also undertook training in theatre.
Following her graduation in 1997, she pursued a career in the performing arts before relocating to Luxembourg in 2005. Since 2018, her textile art practice has developed into a professional career, reflecting a sustained commitment to material exploration and artistic research.
I create textile artworks by adapting traditional techniques such as weaving, tapestry, embroidery, and crochet. In my practice, the path functions as a fundamental poetic tool, an intuitive and tactile journey where the nature of the world and human nature converge.
My work explores the depth of time, memory, and cycles of transformation. I regularly integrate gathered organic elements (branches, roots, flowers) allowing the plant world to dictate its own movement. Here, the textile process echoes a form of existentialism: human beings are not fixed entities, but individuals who build and reinvent themselves step by step, stitch by stitch, thread by thread.
My visual language feeds on states of tension, dualities, and zones of transition. I explore these 'in-between' spaces through contrasting patterns, knots, loose or suspended fibres, empty spaces, holes or pockets.
My work tends towards a middle way, seeking a balance between the discipline of repeated gestures and the fragile unpredictability of natural elements.
SR
Education
1992–1997 – Degree in Philosophy, University of Coimbra, Portugal
Artistic Training and Practice (Non-Formal / Independent)
1995–2005 – Theatre training through workshops, residencies, and professional practice. Freelance theatre performer (Portugal)
2001–2004 – Producer, performer and co-founding member of the non-profit organisation arexploratóriodasartes (air.exploratoryofarts), artistic association founded in Coimbra, dedicated to producing and promoting performing arts, visual arts, music, and literature.
2005–ongoing – Self-taught practice in textile art
Evolving from personal interest to professional focus since 2018. Independent work in weaving, tapestry techniques, embroidery, and textile-based installations.
Group Exhibitions
2026 – Filum 66_04, Cloth Factory museum, Esch-sur-Sûre, Luxembourg
2026 – The Sweet Spot, by Augenschmaus, Schëfflenger Konsthaus, Schifflange, Luxembourg
2026 – Filum 66_03, Space H2O, Oberkorn, Luxembourg
2025 – De Mains de Maîtres "off-site" programme, Villa Vauban, Museum of Art of the City of Luxembourg
2025 – De Mains de Maîtres: Singular Nature, 5th edition, 19 Liberté, Luxembourg
2025 – Salon du CAL 2025, contemporary annual art fair organised by Cercle Artistique du Luxembourg, Tramsschapp, Limpertsberg, Luxembourg
2025 – Hidem Gems III, Kamellebuttek, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
2025 – Filum 66_02, Centre Barblé, Strassen, Luxembourg
2024 – Chasing Light: Still Lives, Subtile Gallery, Luxembourg
2024 – Filum 66_01, Sainte Barbre Church, Lasauvage, Luxembourg
2024 – Pop-up art exhibition, Méckenheck Farm, Berchem, Luxembourg
2023 – De Mains de Maîtres: The Gesture and the Territory, 4th edition, 19 Liberté, Luxembourg
2023 – Squares, La Dama di Capestrano Cultural Centre, Abruzzo, Italy
2023 – XS Project, Gina Morandini Gallery, Maniago, Italy
Collections
2024 – Veräinssall, Roeser, Luxembourg – permanent collective exhibition
2024 – Museum of Embroidery and Textiles, Valtopina, Perugia, Italy
Publications / Press
2026 - "L'approche autonome et expérimentale de Sandra Resende dans l'art textile," 100 % création, Radio France International's program, article and podcast, March 2026 (also on Spotify, podcast name "100% création")
Suboart Magazine - International Art Magazine for Emerging Artists, Issue 32, Nov. 2024 – “Shaping the World Through Textiles”, interview pp. 56–65 (https://suboartmagazine.com)
Women United Art Magazine, Issue VII, Spring 2024 – “In the Spotlight”, pp. 78–81 (https://www.womenunitedartmovement.com/magazine)
Memberships
since 2025 - AAPL, Association des Artistes Plasticiens du Luxembourg
since 2024 - ETN, European Textile Network
since 2023 - Filum 66, Luxembourgish contemporary textile artists’ collective
since 2026 - Recommended by Homo Faber Guide