Students

Convocation ‘24: Lucia Gago Ross, MA Material Culture, Human Ecology

Donna McKinnon - 25 November 2024

 

Lucia Gago Ross found the University of Alberta’s Department of Human Ecology while searching for the type of training not offered in her home country of Uruguay. A fascination with the intimate connection that exists between human beings and textiles, says Lucia, drew her to material culture studies graduate program at the U of A, and the presence of the Anne Lambert Clothing and Textiles Collection solidified her choice. 

“I thought it was a unique opportunity to have a hands-on approach to textiles during my degree,” she says. 

Lucia’s research, on tapestry making in Uruguay during times of socio-political unrest, looked specifically at the work of one of its pioneers, Ernesto Aroztegui (1930-1994).

“In many Latin American countries in the second half of the 20th century, repression and censorship was the common currency of the times, but a small group of Uruguayan textile artists managed to keep working amidst these circumstances,” explains Lucia. “They eventually founded the Textile Movement of Uruguay, which flourished in the subsequent years.” 

Along with her research, Lucia says one of her favourite experiences was the opportunity to serve as a TA in her graduate supervisor Vlada Blinova’s class. Although she had taught at her home university in Uruguay, she found the contrasting teaching environment to be an enriching experience.   

“Conversing with the students, sharing my experience with the textile techniques they were learning, seeing what they came up with and how they explored their creativity are all memories I carry with me.” Earlier this year, Lucia received the 2024 Graduate Student Teaching Award from the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies.

Now back in Uruguay, Lucia has resumed her teaching and research, and is formulating a plan for an eventual PhD. 

Congratulations Lucia! 


What led you to choose your current area of study, and why the U of A for your studies?

As an industrial designer specializing in textiles I always felt a strong and particular pull towards the making of things — how the materials, tools and all the other variables interact in the making process. I was more interested in that process than in the things being made themselves. This led me to pursue an understanding of my craft from an anthropological perspective, and as I delved deeper into this way of thinking, I arrived at material culture for my master’s degree. 

While researching universities, I came across the U of A and its MA in Material Culture Studies and I knew it was the one. On the one hand, this program was offered by the Department of Human Ecology, so it was the exact perspective I was looking for. On the other hand, I found out about the Anne Lambert Clothing and Textiles Collection, which is part of Human Ecology, and thought it was a unique opportunity to have a hands-on approach to textiles during my degree.

What is one of your favourite memories from your time at the U of A?

While it is hard to choose just one, I would say being invited by my supervisor, Vlada Blinova, to be a TA in one of her classes was a wonderful experience. Sharing with others through teaching is something that I thoroughly enjoy — before coming to the U of A I was already working as a TA in my university back home. Being part of a class in a different country and familiarizing myself with the particularities of a teaching environment somewhat different to what I was used to was an extremely enriching experience. Conversing with the students, sharing my experience with the textile techniques they were learning, seeing what they came up with and how they explored their creativity are all memories I carry with me.

Tell us about your favourite professor and/or class.

In its diversity, the classes my supervisor and I selected for me to take complemented each other, encompassing many of my interests. All of the classes, and the professors teaching them, offered something unique. I do not think I can come up with one favourite class or instructor because each of them offered something that made sense when interacting with the rest.

Did you take on any leadership roles while you were a student? If so, please share your experiences.

I worked as a TA the two years I was a student at the U of A and was a member of the Human Ecology Research Seminar organizing team.

Did you face any significant obstacles or challenges during your program, and if so, how did you respond?

The one significant challenge I had to deal with was self-doubt. This was not new to me — it tends to come up when I really care about something. In a way I became afraid I will “mess up” the opportunity and faced with the option to freeze, flee or fight, it can be hard to choose to fight. The way I responded entailed being organized with my work and making sure I made the time to not think about my studies and just do whatever I felt like doing — go for long walks outdoors, talk to loved ones, read a novel, and so on. It comes up as a rather old answer, but being able to disconnect was crucial in how I responded to being overwhelmed by my anxiety and fear of not being up to the task.

What advice do you have for current and future students?

To make sure your studies are not just your studies but part of something larger. Thinking about what one is learning in a contextualized way, considering how it connects to everything else life is made of, has the potential of enriching the learning experience and your future academic and professional endeavours.

How do you plan on celebrating convocation?

I will not be able to attend convocation in person, and since the southern hemisphere is home for me right now, and the weather is already warm, I am thinking of a weekend at the beach enjoying the peace it gives me.

What's next after graduation?

Returning to my home university to resume my teaching and research activity there, and continuing defining my plans for a PhD in the near future. Of course parallel to this my textile-making will continue, exploring techniques and ways of interacting with materials and tools. In particular I am looking forward to wrapping up the making of a warp-weighted loom I had on hold for the two years I was at the U of A.