Eliurpi
Elisabet Urpí Ràfols — El Papiolet, Spain, b. 1985
Nacho Umpiérrez Fripp — Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay, b. 1983
Biography
ELIURPI is the creative partnership of Elisabet Urpí Ràfols and Nacho Umpiérrez Fripp, a Barcelona-based artistic duo whose work exists at the intersection of contemporary art, design, architecture, and craft. Through sculpture, installation, and collectible design, they create poetic objects that explore materiality, cultural memory, and the relationship between nature and human experience.
Founded over a decade ago, ELIURPI first gained international recognition for their sculptural hats, transforming traditional millinery into a highly expressive artistic medium. Since then, their practice has expanded into large-scale sculptures, spatial interventions, and art-design pieces while maintaining a deep commitment to craftsmanship and experimentation.
Their work is characterised by an ongoing dialogue between tradition and contemporaneity. Drawing inspiration from architecture, literature, vernacular cultures, and the subtle interplay of light and shadow, they create objects that blur the boundaries between functional design and sculpture. Natural materials such as raffia, straw, wood, linen, and silk play a central role in their practice, allowing them to develop a visual language that feels both organic and timeless.
A recurring theme within ELIURPI’s work is the exploration of atmosphere and perception. This was exemplified in Shadows and Poems, their exhibition at Palazzo Litta during Milan Design Week, inspired by Junichiro Tanizaki’s In Praise of Shadows. Through a series of sculptural works unified by raffia, the exhibition reflected on the beauty of subtlety, texture, and the poetic qualities of shadow.
ELIURPI has exhibited internationally at art galleries, design fairs, and craft biennials, including recurring presentations during ARCO week in Madrid. In 2023, their work Sculptural Head Object received an Honourable Mention at the Cheongju Craft Biennale in South Korea, further recognising their contribution to the evolving dialogue between contemporary art, design, and craftsmanship.
More information