Macarena OCea is one of those artists whose life and work reflect the tenacity and creativity born from adversity. A Chilean living in Australia since 2013, she has not only reinvented herself as a person and professional but also found her place in the world of textile art, combining personal emotions with a constant search for sustainability. Today, she shares her inspiring journey and her participation in the Chile Sentido exhibition, where art and nostalgia for her homeland intertwine.
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF, YOUR STORY, AND HOW YOU CAME TO THE WORLD OF ART. WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO AUSTRALIA, AND HOW HAS YOUR ART EVOLVED HERE?
I’m Macarena OCea, a Chilean artist living in Australia since 2013. My story is probably not too different from that of most migrants who come to this side of the world. I come from a family in Santiago, composed of only women, middle class, and an absent father. I was raised with a worldview deeply attached to sacrifice and the postponement of personal ideals for the sake of family.
In this context, my relationship with art was distant, probably not a viable option in my environment, but I was always involved in creative processes from a very young age. From adjusting the clothes I inherited from family members to make them fit me, to making hairpins, earrings, and rings so I could go out with my friends, I always tried to face the economic adversities of my childhood with creativity.
After finishing high school, I pursued a degree in Graphic Design, hoping to find a creative career that would provide a sustainable livelihood. However, I soon realised that this path only led to an overworked and underpaid office job. That’s when I decided to change my path and leave Chile. A friend of mine wanted to go to New Zealand on the famous Working Holiday visa, which wasn’t as popular back then as it is now. I decided to wait that year and finish my degree, so I could leave without the “obligation” to return to live in Chile. I left with $300 in my pocket; I still don’t know how I dared! But I was lucky to find a job quickly and a Chilean family who took me in to get started.
After a year, I moved to Australia, searching for my path. I worked all kinds of jobs along the way—cleaning, studying cooking—without finding much meaning in my life during this time, only determined to navigate visas and the unclear pathways to obtain permanent residency.
During the pandemic, I felt I hit rock bottom. All the plans and years of work fell apart in a second, and that’s when I decided to return to Chile, but not before making a last-ditch effort to earn enough money to cover the high costs of return flights. I moved houses, and that’s when I met my now-husband, Skubz Mope. He is already a recognized artist in Melbourne and showed me his art studio. Up until that point, it had never occurred to me that one could actually make a living from art, partly due to the mentality of sacrifice and deferring dreams that I had grown up with. I realized I was limiting my own desires and aspirations, unaware that the quality of life Australia offers also means being able to fulfill professional dreams. Thanks to him, I started creating again and embarked on my path in textile art.
Quickly, my life began to make sense, and the depression I was going through at the time started to diminish. I gathered the courage to open my own studio, and shortly after, I was invited to participate in my first exhibition, where I won the “Visual Art Innovation Award” from Swinburne University. This milestone opened my eyes to a career in art, and since then, I have participated in over 10 exhibitions and am soon preparing for a collaborative exhibition with another textile artist, creating with non-recyclable plastics, constantly seeking a practice that does not harm the environment and is sustainable.
Macarena reminds us that our roots and circumstances can often seem limiting, but, as in her case, it is those very difficulties that spark creativity and determination. Her story reflects the common struggle of many migrants who must reinvent themselves to find a space where their passions can flourish.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ARTISTIC STYLE OR APPROACH?
My style is quite bold and high-contrast. I constantly move between realism and abstraction. I don’t think I’ll ever define myself by one style—I need variety to keep creating; otherwise, I honestly get bored. Creating with different mediums is also an experience I enjoy. Watercolor painting, oil pastels, and ceramics are mediums that give me a break from my textiles, which usually take a long time to create. I find a more immediate respite in these other mediums when I need it. However, it is through textile art that I find my vision and message come through most clearly and authentically, which is why I always return to it.
Macarena’s versatility is not just a reflection of her talent but also of her need to keep her creative spark alive. Not confining herself to one style allows her to experiment and evolve, adapting to different mediums based on her emotional and artistic state. It’s a reminder that art is dynamic, and sometimes the rules are meant to be broken.
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE THE PURPOSES OF YOUR WORKS?
I don’t think too much about creating for others. Generally, my works are very personal, drawing from my own physical and emotional experience. The main purpose I give it is to create for myself, to heal my own wounds, express my ideas, tastes, and feelings, and if through that, I can create a connection with the viewer, that’s a gift this practice gives me. Usually, that’s how it goes—what resonates with oneself will resonate with someone else.
Macarena’s art is deeply introspective, which lends it a sense of authenticity and honesty. Her creative process acts as a form of healing and self-reflection, a goal many artists pursue. Yet, the emotional resonance she creates with her audience shows how personal experiences can transcend into something universal.
HAVE YOU BEEN INFLUENCED BY OTHER ARTISTS OR ARTISTIC MOVEMENTS?
I admire many artists. Of course, from Chile, the great Violeta Parra has helped me return to myself in so many moments when I’ve felt lost. Her figure as an artist is so powerful that it leaves no one indifferent, even those who can’t understand the Spanish language.
Her experience as an artist, being recognized outside of her country before being acknowledged within it, is something that many of us artists abroad can relate to. She did it first and paved the way for us to walk today.
In more contemporary artists, Cecilia Vicuña is a great reference. Her work is so powerful, intimate, and honest. She shows me a unique connection with the land and the spiritual world, which I aspire to experience one day.
Internationally, I’m blown away by Cayce Zavaglia. Her work is so detailed and intense that I would love to see it up close in the near future.
Recognizing influences such as Violeta Parra and Cecilia Vicuña speaks to Macarena’s deep cultural connection to her homeland, Chile. These references not only inspire her but also connect her to an artistic tradition that transcends borders. It reminds us that art is also a bridge between worlds and times.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR RECENT PROJECTS.
Currently, I’m working on several projects simultaneously. I’m working on an artist residency at Heritage College Knox, where I’ve been invited to create a textile mural with the students, a project that will be completed in early November. I’m also working on a collaborative exhibition with South African textile artist Natasja Van Wyk, where we’re creating pieces from non-recyclable plastics. This idea came to us at the beginning of 2023, and we’ve been fortunate to secure financial support through the Arts and Heritage Grants from Yarra Ranges in Melbourne to carry it out. "Waste to Wonder" will open to the public from October 19 at The Aerie Gallery, Burrinja Cultural Centre in Upwey.
IS THERE A PARTICULAR PIECE OF YOURS THAT HAS LEFT A MARK ON YOU AND WHY?
I think all works are special; it’s hard to say goodbye to them when someone wants to acquire them, but without a doubt, "The Emancipation of the Body" is the piece that opened the most doors and gave me the confidence to believe in my talents. It also brought me the Visual Art Innovation Award, so I hold it in even higher regard.
WHAT WORKS WILL YOU PRESENT AT THIS EXHIBITION, AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE THEM?
When I was invited to participate in this exhibition, named Chile Sentido, I had many ideas about where to take my work—ranging from the most nostalgic to the more bitter aspects. But I decided to focus on what is truest to my feelings about my homeland. What I miss most about my country, and what I always "feel" deeply since leaving, is the strong and close connection I have with my friends. I know this is a recurring topic of conversation among my circle of migrant friends—how hard it is to make friends as an adult and how tedious it becomes to introduce yourself over and over again in order to build those bonds.
In Chile, I have my best friends, the ones I grew up with and shared my whole life with. I’ve been fortunate to have friendships of more than 30 years, which I still cherish and to which I constantly return, seeking that freedom to be myself. To be understood without having to show or explain who I am over and over again. When I go back to Chile, it’s the greatest joy—besides being with my family—to be with them, as they take up all my time and attention. They have supported me throughout these years, even from a distance. So, this work is for them and for that connection that exists both there and here.
In this exhibition, Macarena channels something deeply personal: her connection with her friends from Chile. She invites us to reflect on lifelong friendships, those that, despite the distance, remain an emotional anchor during times of uncertainty. Her work speaks to a sense of belonging that isn’t lost despite physical distance.
LOOKING BACK ON YOUR CAREER, WHAT HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT MOMENTS FOR YOU AS AN ARTIST?
One of the most significant moments, I think, was when I completed my first punch needle artwork. It was a self-portrait, and it showed me that I was capable of bringing my vision to life. I took it very seriously and pushed it as far as I could. It opened my mind and expanded my possibilities. From that point, I decided to take the leap and get my own studio, where I could create and work outside of my home. That’s when everything changed for me. So, I think it was key to be able to see myself from the outside.
Every artist has a “before and after,” and for Macarena, it was the creation of that first punch needle self-portrait. Through this pivotal moment, she was able to see herself from a different perspective and fully embrace her artistic identity with confidence. This kind of revelation is undoubtedly a milestone that sets the direction for any creative career.
HAVE YOU NOTICED ANY MAJOR DIFFERENCES IN THE ART SCENE HERE COMPARED TO YOUR HOME COUNTRY?
The art scene in Melbourne is very large and, in some parts, quite competitive. But I’ve been fortunate to find an artistic community where that doesn’t exist. I’m very lucky to be part of the Aerie Artist group in the Dandenong Ranges, where many opportunities have opened up for me, and I was invited to participate in exhibitions very early on. I think that’s what’s most interesting about Australia as well—there isn’t just one reality to stick to. There’s variety and there are opportunities in big cities and in regional areas too. You just have to be very alert to find them and pursue them.
I’m not sure if something like this exists in Chile because I never worked as an artist there, but I do have artist friends back home. I see how difficult it is for them to get their work into exhibitions with high exposure, and how financially it’s almost impossible unless you come from an elite economic circle where art allows you to make a living and keep creating. Here, it’s more accessible. Even as a migrant without permanent residency, you can participate in exhibitions, something that would be practically impossible for a migrant in Chile.
WHAT DOES PARTICIPATING IN THIS EXHIBITION MEAN TO YOU?
I believe Chile Sentido is an incredible initiative. Latin American artists, in general, have so much to contribute to Australian culture. We offer a deep perspective into a world that they haven’t often dedicated time to discovering, and in that, we have an important mission. It’s also a great opportunity for many, like me, who have never exhibited in our own country. It lets people know that we exist and that we’re representing our homeland proudly on the other side of the world in a quiet way. I hope this exhibition continues in the coming years and allows more new Chilean migrant artists to expand, create connections, and reach new audiences. It would be ideal if this exhibition could also take place in different cities across Australia to reach even more Chilean artists who are giving it their all in these lands.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE PEOPLE TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR WORK?
I hope this exhibition allows them to connect with Chile and understand a little bit about how we Chileans live and feel art. To find connections between the works and get a sense of our worldview as migrant artists.
HOW CAN PEOPLE FOLLOW YOUR WORK OR GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU?
If you’d like to see more of my work, I invite you to visit my social media pages, @macarenathreads on Instagram.
Macarena OCea has shared an intimate and powerful view of her life and work, where creativity is not only a means of expression but a tool for resilience. Her participation in the Chile Sentido exhibition is a testament to the value of connecting with our roots and how art can become a vehicle to heal and share those experiences with the world.
If you’ve been inspired by Macarena’s story, don’t miss the chance to see her works and those of other Chilean artists at the Chile Sentido exhibition. It’s a window into emotions, nostalgia, and the stories of those who have taken their art to new lands. We hope to see you there!
