Unraveling  is a mixed-media artwork on a 25x25 cm canvas, depicting the journey of discovery in science. A dark background represents the vast unknown, punctuated by a tear at the centre of the canvas. Through this tear, vibrant colours emerge, enticing the viewer to interact –and hold themselves from interacting– with a red thread that seemingly holds the canvas together. 

​

The red thread is both a visual and symbolic element, referencing cultural metaphors about connection and discovery. In Western traditions, it represents a guiding theme or throughline, while in East Asian folklore, the red thread of fate symbolizes connections that transcend time and distance. Vega Blanes incorporates these meanings into her work, reflecting the persistence, curiosity, and serendipity that define the scientific process. 

​

The materials, including acrylic paint, cotton thread, and polyester stuffing, were selected to evoke the tactile process of peeling back layers to uncover hidden knowledge. Vega Blanes crafted the piece intuitively, experimenting with textures and colours to mirror the uncertainties and breakthroughs she encountered during her research project. The red thread, chosen for its striking contrast and symbolic depth, draws viewers into the act of exploration, inviting them to engage with the mysteries of discovery