In the heart of Hudson, New York, on Warren Street, there lies an unexpected beacon of love, brotherhood, and artistry. The Foley & Cox Home, a venue known for its delightful blend of art and home décor, is preparing to open its doors to an exhibit of unparalleled emotional depth and creative ingenuity. “Woven Together”, a show featuring the late photographer Fernando Bengoechea’s images reimagined through his brother Marcelo’s hands, opens on September 2nd, providing a 30-day window into a world where beauty, tragedy, and resilience merge in compelling tapestries of life.
Artistry Lives On: “Woven Together” Exhibit Opens in Hudson, NY this September – Story Cover Photo Courtesy of Marcelo Bengoechea
Fernando Bengoechea, a distinguished photographer whose work graced the pages of leading publications like Architectural Digest, Harper’s Bazaar, and Vogue, was known for his pioneering “woven photographs” technique. By weaving together identical images he had meticulously sliced, Fernando breathed new life into his photography, his art rippling with texture and emotion.
Four new renditions from his “Karma Tree” series, shot in Joshua Tree, CA, and exhibited in metropolises from NY to Milan, will headline this exhibition, offering visitors an intimate glimpse into Fernando’s ingenuity.
Fernando’s tragic passing in the devastating 2004 tsunami left an irreplaceable void, but his brother Marcelo has devoted his life to ensuring Fernando’s artistic legacy lives on. Mirroring Fernando’s technique, Marcelo painstakingly weaves together his brother’s photographs, carrying the torch of creativity in his honor.
But “Woven Together” is more than an art exhibit; it’s a testament to love, memory, and the unyielding bond of brotherhood. Marcelo has described the exhibition as “a collaboration between brothers one in Heaven and one on Earth.” As the 20th anniversary of the tsunami and Fernando’s untimely death approaches, the exhibition takes on an even deeper resonance.
Marcelo’s artistic process has been profoundly shaped by Fernando’s unique technique. “My mission is to keep Fernando’s art alive,” he explains, “It’s a completely hand-made process. I use the weaving time as a meditation, letting Fernando’s energy pass through my hands.” This quiet reflection permeates each piece, infusing it with a sense of closeness and connectivity that reaches beyond the physical realm.
After a tumultuous period in his life, Marcelo discovered his path to carry on Fernando’s work. “What I did not accept was his art dying with him,” he shares, “I decided to keep Fernando’s art alive, and it became clear in my mind to go for it.”
The concept of “perfectly imperfect” permeates Marcelo’s artistry. “Each woven photograph is as unique as a fingerprint,” he explains, “Filled with emotions, I leave traces of my human touch behind… just like in life, those ‘perfect imperfections’ are what makes life beautiful.”
This exhibition will also feature pieces from the New York series, the Palms Collection, and the Still Life Collection. Each limited edition piece, available in two frame sizes, is a testament to the powerful journey of love, loss, and legacy.
In the words of Oprah Winfrey on Fernando, “I want to keep saying Fernando’s name out loud… And his work and his art will live on for everybody who he filmed; for everybody whose life he touched. But we get to see him through his work forever.” This exhibit truly encapsulates this sentiment, inviting us to experience the timeless beauty of Fernando’s art, intertwined with Marcelo’s tribute, one woven strip at a time.
