Francis Dravigny: Art Fair Philippines & Alliance Française de Manille

Francis Dravigny’s mixed-media creations incorporate fabric, embroidery, and indigenous Philippine materials such as raffia and abaca. These elements, woven in his studio and in collaboration with local communities, reflect his advocacy for preserving cultural traditions and nurturing sustainable practices. Dravigny draws attention not only to the visual power of his work but also to the material origins. As he explains, “The concept of the bark is central, but so too are the materials. Most of the yarn used for the weaving is extracted from trees—abaca, raffia, and even rayon, which comes from vegetal cellulose found in trees. It’s a journey that goes back and forth—from the bark to the weaving.” His pieces thus embody a cyclical process, where nature and craftsmanship intertwine to create art that bridges the organic and the human.