Instruction Manual for VTG: 

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​Vestigium Tectona Grandis is extremely physical and emotional. Through the years that I´ve been working with VTG, I´ve understood that she requires that you're in a meditative state of mind in order to work together. She's strong and can be heavy or the complete opposite. If there´s wind she can torture you or she can turn into a precious kite, she´ll let you fly her, but she´s strong, be aware and listen. I insist that in order to get the best out of her you must listen to the wind.

VTG is my umbilical cord to my mother, my connection with the Universe, my relationship with Earth and life, my guts, my glories.  V, represents the vestige, the imprint of the plant, vagina, veins, vientre, venus. T stands for Tectona Grandis, the scientific name of the Teak Tree. T is transformation, time, transfer. G of Grandis, Tectona Grandis, Gratitude, Gracias, García (my maternal surname).

VTG is my actual and most important project so far, I made her in 2016 in Damasco, Antioquia, Colombia, my native country. In 2014, I participated in an Art Residency in India where I learned a technique that impacted me. At the time I was living in Colombia and when I got back, I tested a large number of plants and discovered that the Teak leaf would give me the tone that I was searching for. I travelled to La Pintada, Antioquia, Colombia in 2016 to a Teak crop to create my project. On a fabric (Dacron) 60 meters long x 150 cm I made my work.

I take pictures of VTG in different locations, depending on what I need to say. I paint VTG on canvas, draw it on paper, it’s my main focus, my obsession. VTG is the cord that is many times present in my work.  It's been a challenge to work this project because I usually work by myself, it's a big piece and sometimes depending on the weather it can get heavy and hard to handle. That's when you have to breathe and be patient, take your time, give it time. Let it rest. Rest.

 

When you are finished working with her, please make sure you fold her correctly and put her back in her case. 

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​​​​​​​​Vestigium Tectonca Grandis (VTG)

VTG represents my most significant project to date, spanning eight years of dedicated exploration. It centers around the use of natural pigment extracted from the Tectona Grandis Tree. Each element of VTG holds symbolic significance: "V" evokes vestiges, veins, versatility, vagina, while "T" references to time, transformation, Tectona. "G" is for Grandis, Garcia, expressing gratitude and honoring my maternal lineage.

My exploration to find and create VTG began in India in 2014 after coming back from an Art Residency, where I was transformed and introduced to an amazing technique. Upon my return to Colombia, my native country, I experienced with various plants until discovering the rich tones offered by the Teak leaf. This plant gave me the tone that I was searching for.  In 2016 I  traveled to La Pintada, Colombia to a teak crop, to create my monumental work on Dacron fabric, measuring 197 feet (60 meters) long by 59 inches (150 cm) wide.

VTG serves as my umbilical cord to my mother, a connection to the Universe, and a testament to my relationship with Earth and life itself. It embodies my innermost thoughts and triumphs, serving as a conduit for my creative expression.

I capture VTG in diverse settings through photography, translating it onto canvas and paper, allowing it to guide my artistic path. VTG remains a recurring motif in my work, symbolizing continuity and interconnectedness across my artistic journey.

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