Next Big Thing: ektor garcia

Whether it’s knotting, crocheting, or weaving, nomadic artist ektor garcia is drawn to repetitive processes, meditating on the transformation of materials like shells, leather, and copper wire, sometimes collected on his travels. “I come from a long line of hardworking people and feel as though I have inherited their work ethic,” garcia says. “Labor-intensive handcrafts give me time to be alone and reflect on what I have been capable of creating as well as what I would someday like to accomplish.” In his oeuvre, garcia conjures meticulous, handmade textiles and ceramics, utilizing natural components, which, he says, feel like they are “alive and can change with age.” For the artist, that connection with time goes even further. “Both ceramics and textile art traditions have a long history. I like to be in conversation with the past while also hoping to allude to another potential future.”

Pushing boundaries: “My identity and survival in a violent world is a testament to my work, personal beliefs, and support from my community,” says garcia, whose breakout moment was at the 2024 Whitney Biennial. “I hope people have an intimate personal experience with the work, which then leads them to feel moved or inspired to change their beliefs or preconceived ideas.”

On view: A selection of garcia’s new and earlier installations is on view in “Loose Ends,” a solo show at the San José Museum of Art in California, through June 7, 2026.

“By masterfully blending ancestral Mexican craft techniques with industrial materials, ektor garcia’s elegant practice speaks to themes of labor, identity, and resilience. He is a powerful new voice on the scene,”says architect Kulapat Yantrasast.

A version of this article first appeared in print in our 2025 Winter issue under the headline “Emerging Artists.” Subscribe to the magazine.