Textile artist Marina Contro creates handcrafted blankets and throws using a six-foot-tall antique hand loom. Based in San Francisco, Contro combines traditional weaving techniques with carefully selected materials to produce textiles known for their texture, drape and detailed construction.
Her work will feature in a joint exhibition with woodworker Noah Cohen at Blunk Space in Point Reyes Station, California. The exhibition runs from October 24, 2026, to January 2, 2027.
Traditional Weaving Meets Contemporary Design
Contro works with materials such as cashmere to create patterned textiles. Her process involves threading individual yarns through the loom and controlling each stitch to form the desired design.
She often uses plain weaves and twill structures. These techniques allow her to focus on the fabric’s texture, appearance and drape. Since her loom produces textiles up to 48 inches wide, she sometimes joins separate panels to complete larger pieces.
Moreover, these seams become part of the design. They add visual detail and encourage closer attention to the finished textile.
An Artistic Journey Through Textile History
Contro developed an interest in liturgical vestments while studying religious studies as an undergraduate. She later pursued a master’s degree in textiles at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan, graduating in 2017.
During her studies, she explored historic looms at the institution’s Kingswood Weaving Studio. She subsequently worked in creative settings, including Andrea Zittel’s residency programme near Joshua Tree and the Blunk House.
The upcoming exhibition brings Contro’s woven textiles together with Cohen’s woodwork. Through traditional techniques and considered material choices, her work explores the relationship between craftsmanship, texture and contemporary interiors.
