Alana Burns

We visited Alana at her home and studio in the Polanco neighborhood of Mexico City. A beautiful space that felt immediately familiar.

She told us that every object, painting, and piece of furniture in the house was given to her by someone she loves.

Born and raised in Mexico City, Alana divides her time between her private practice as a psychologist and her work as an artist. Her project, La Mar, began with jewelry and unique pieces, gradually expanding in scale and experimentation. Rooted in the same language and techniques she developed through jewelry-making, her practice has evolved into a broader exploration that today leans more towards sculpture and object-making.

Her artistic practice is tactile and spans across different mediums, from wax painting on textiles to jewelry and objects. The paintings started almost by accident, simply by noticing the shapes that melted candles left on the floor. Now, she intentionally melts colored wax onto cotton canvases.

She has always been drawn to small details rather than immensity, and she collects shells by the sea, seeing them as nostalgic little houses for living creatures. She sees the sea as a mystery of nature, an unknown world and a representation of another life existing within ours. There is meaning in every piece she makes, each one carrying its own story.

I also met Alana a few months ago in Mallorca, where she presented the most beautiful lamps made out of copper and small found objects, exquisite lamp-jewels. She will return to Mallorca to present the second collection of these lamps.

More recently, Alana has been spending time in Taxco, a mining town in the mountains of Guerrero, where she now has a workshop. There, she continues learning from local artisans, especially from one named Rafael, who has become like family to her.

There is something extremely sensitive, delicate, and deeply feminine about every piece she creates, which is also very characteristic of her as a person. Whether she is sitting with a patient or working in her studio, she approaches people and materials with the same curiosity, seeing each as a completely unique universe. For Alana, beauty is simply about acceptance, and she feels most beautiful when she is grateful.

Alana wears the Carmine Dupion Echo Dress, later she pairs the Rose Quartz Dupion Kendo Pants & Scrunchie Top with the Pistacho Dupion Kali Jacket. Lastly, she is wearing the Caramel Dupion Carmen Dress.