ILLUSTRATIONS
I am the creator of all the designs for my brand ZE POLITA.
For me, it’s about illustrating my passion for Basque culture, my concerns about issues such as the environment and living together, as well as more poetic ideas inspired by a blend of influences from elsewhere, always seeking the point of friction with my present moment.
I use a variety of techniques, but it often all starts with a pencil and a blank sheet of paper!
Clothing is one of the best canvases for self-expression in the world, so there’s no question of making it merely decorative—there’s always a little story behind each drawing.
ORIGINAL CREATION
PAPER PIRATE
A graphic wave referencing Hokusai’s famous Japanese print, The Great Wave off Kanagawa.
In the Basque Country, it immediately brings to mind the giant wave known as Belharra.
In the background, a small section of mountain suggests La Rhune, which can be seen from the ocean.
Finally, a paper boat, origami-style, with a childish pirate flag proudly flying, seems to sail effortlessly—a playful nod to the many surfers who try to tame the waves of the Basque Country.
ORIGINAL CREATION
AMARAUNA
AMARAUNA means “spider web” in Basque. I was looking for a title for this new creation based on the figure from Basque mythology known as MARI. She is the mother “goddess” of EVERYTHING (AMA means MOTHER in Basque). What a happy coincidence!
After working on AMALUR (MOTHER EARTH), I really wanted to immerse myself in the symbolism of this other entity, of whom I knew little but who felt familiar to me.
I also wanted to create a visual representation of the figure of woman, who is central to Basque society.
While the men would leave for months at a time to cross the oceans and hunt whales, the women managed the life of the homes, fields, and villages, weaving a protective web to sustain their families and the life of their homeland. This earned them the sadly famous witchcraft trials.
MARI’s disciples are the SORGINAK (the WITCHES), who devoted themselves to celebrating her in caves during AKELARRE gatherings.
According to legend, MARI lives in a hidden, underground world, emerging from a cave.
I chose to depict the shape of the sanctuary of HARPEKO SAINDUA (the cave of the sweating Saint) in Bidarray. At the back of this cavity, a distinctive anthropomorphic stalagmite has inspired legends and personal interpretations.
If the mother of everything appears here, I filled my lines with small drawings that are both intuitive and focused on representing elements and figures characteristic of Basque mythology and nature.
By duplicating my drawing several times, a baroque-looking—and therefore rather pagan—cross shape emerged to create the central and main motif.
And the spider web emerged as an obvious choice.
Perpetual renewal, a wonder of nature, a symbol of protective motherhood …
At the same time, I was immersed in personal reading about the work of Louise Bourgeois. The unconscious did its work, bringing this creation—and this word—into being, and I find it truly beautiful!
ORIGINAL CREATION
LOVE AND THAT’S IT!
"MAITASUNA" means LOVE in Basque.
You know, the feeling that is not at all fashionable in this brutal world!
In public debate, much more time is devoted to finding good reasons to feel the exact opposite toward others ...
So this illustration will surely be seen as opportunistic (yes, it is being released just before Valentine's Day—perhaps still one time of year when every human being might reflect on their own relationship with this innate feeling), or even as somewhat naive and outdated ... but that is entirely intentional.
With the ZE POLITA brand, I mainly seek to illustrate and share positive things with you, as an exhortation to DO GOOD, because I believe in it!
So "MAITASUNA ETA KITTO*!" because that is what we should all ultimately seek in our short existence: in all its forms, each person in their own way and with whomever they choose; LOVE for ourselves and for what we accomplish every day, LOVE for the other human beings with whom we evolve each day, but also for everyone else, LOVE for our environment and for other living beings ... *LOVE, AND THAT'S ALL!"
ORIGINAL CREATION
AMALUR
AMA in Basque is the word for MOTHER, while LUR means EARTH or SOIL.
The word AMALUR therefore means MOTHER EARTH. In other cultures, such as those of South America, it could be understood as PACHAMAMA, a belief embodied as a rather feminine “deity,” the Mother of everything living on Earth: living beings, plants, minerals, textiles, technology, and more.
In Basque mythology, it is one of the principal entities associated with these beliefs, a mother goddess who gave rise to all living things.
Here, the plants I chose are the cherry blossoms of Itxassou, the flowering pepper plants of Ibarra, and the wild sloes of Navarre. Some of these plants are wild and nourishing, and deeply rooted in the Basque Country, just as my drawings are intertwined around the word AMALUR, which appeared to me as an obvious choice just after I had completed my paintings.
A Mother Earth to protect today by keeping a clear mind, staying grounded, and getting our hands into the earth.
ORIGINAL CREATION
MILESKER
1 poppy, 2 poppies, 3 poppies, LOTS of poppies!
Choosing this flower, as beautiful as it is fleeting, which offers itself to the bees, is like a wish: “Milesker (thank you in Basque) for the flowers!” For me, for you, for them (the bees), for us. Because there are no bees without flowers, and no wildflowers if questionable substances are present ...
ORIGINAL CREATION
EGUZKILORE
“Etxea” means “house” in Basque. Housing is more than a problem in our beautiful region: owning a home is becoming a dream, but also a necessity that is too often out of reach because of overtourism and real estate speculation.
According to tradition, an “eguzkilore” is hung on the doors of homes in the Basque Country to protect them from the evil eye.
ORIGINAL CREATION
EX VOTO
The Latin root of “ex-voto” literally means “according to the vow.”
An ex-voto is an object placed in a revered place, such as a church, as an offering to a god following a request for grace or in thanks for a fulfilled vow or favor granted.
Ex-votos come in various forms: sacred heart, Mary’s hand, dove, eye, as well as boats in fishing regions such as the Basque Country...
In Mexican culture, the tradition of the ex-voto, whether as an offering or simply as decoration, remains very strong.
They are made from embossed metal and hand-painted in bright colors.
I chose to depict an ex-voto that vibrates to the rhythms of our agitated worlds, while its vivid colors are there to tantalize your retinas.
I am deeply attached to the fable of the hummingbird, which I attempt here to transcend into a wish that tomorrow everyone will do their part.
ORIGINAL CREATION
1000 Cranes on La Rhune
1000 Cranes on La Rhune, inspired by Hokusai’s prints and a Japanese legend: the legend of the 1000 cranes.
This legend says that whoever manages to fold 1000 paper cranes will have their wish granted. Since the crane is a symbol of longevity, a prayer should be made each time a crane is completed. This can be a group or individual activity, but it is said that the more people who contribute to the garland, the greater its impact will be. The origami crane is also a powerful symbol of peace.
Why this flight over a sketch of La Rhune?
La Rhune, Larrun in Euskara, is a well-known summit in the Basque Country, crossed by the Franco-Spanish border, which is also the boundary between the Basque provinces of Labourd and Lower Navarre. This small, highly touristy mountain also symbolizes for me the important place of nature and its fragile beauty in the Basque Country.
In an increasingly confused world, with nature under threat and peace remaining relative, I wanted to represent a small breath of poetry. Even though there are not 1000 cranes in my drawing, having it printed as a series and seeing it worn symbolizes, for me, my small prayer for tomorrow.
ORIGINAL CREATION
TODAY’S FRIED DISH — HELLO
The richness of local fishing depicted here in an engraving style, paying tribute to this practice characteristic of the Basque Country, which benefits from diverse aquatic wildlife. On the menu: a small school of anchovies, a hake, a bonito, and a few freshly caught baby squid!
ORIGINAL CREATION
TODAY’S FRIED DISH — HELLO
To highlight the clearly Japanese-inspired influences, here is a poster celebrating our SAKROSANTUA TALO!
The festive treat of the Basque Country in its complete version, generously filled with ventrèche (Xingar in Basque) and a slice of sheep’s cheese (Ardi Gasna), with Kawaii sauce!
ON EGIN*!
* Enjoy your meal!