Always, 2007, 70 x 54 cm, all pictures provided by Tilleke Schwarz
Tilleke Schwarz is a Dutch artist who does embroidery in a unique, personal style that is reminiscent of graffity, sketchbooks and samplers. I first saw her work at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York in 2008 (in an exhibition called: Pricked. Extreme embroidery) and was totally smitten. She was joined there by artists like Berend Strik, Orly Gogan and Andrea Deszö. Tilleke exhibits worldwide, contributes to international textile magazines, gives lectures and curates exhibitions.
She also has a very original website with a famous FAQ section (divided into normal, difficult and stupid questions).
But the FAQ did not fully satisfy my curiosity. So Tineke kindly answered a few more in this new series of monthly interviews with artists whom I find greatly inspiring. The interviews will be mostly about applied arts (or artful crafts). I hope that you and I shall learn some more about how the artists in this series work and think.
(I wrote about Tilleke earlier here).
How would you describe the work you do?
As embroidery!
What does your average workday look like?
What do you like best about your work?
The embroidering and meeting and keeping in touch with people (most of the time).
Where did you learn?
My mother taught me, and I found out a lot by myself.
Technically it is all pretty basic stuff. I embroider by hand. I use mainly cross stitch and couching. I don’t use a hoop or a frame. The linen I use is a good quality fine linen (22 threads to a cm) and any kind of thread as long as they are colourfast. If I want a coloured background I’ll dye the linen first. I never plan ahead. I just start stitching on a piece of cloth. It takes me months to finish one.
WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get), 2006, 75 x 67 cm
Of course I visit lots of exhibitions, mostly of contemporary art, and I keep up with loads of art and textile magazines.
For schooling I went to the Academie voor Kunst en Industrie at Enschede (1965-1967) and to the Vrije Academie voor Beeldende Kunsten at The Hague (1985-1990) (art academy). My career as a textile artist started in 1990.
It may be interesting to add that was born in 1946. People often think my work was made by someone younger. My work is pretty humourous though, while I find that younger artists can be a serious bunch.
How is your studio organised? Can we see a picture?
I do my embroidery everywhere, inside or out. I have two studios. At home there’s a little one. A kilometer from here I have a large studio where I can draw and where I store everything.
Small studio, the picture at the top of the interview was also taken there
The large studio
Both studio’s are fitted with large tables and there is a lot of room on the wall to hang up what I’m working on.
What inspires you?
Thanks, Tilleke!
PS Click here to read another interview with Tilleke Schwarz
Great interview, Kitty. I love Tilleke's work. The spontaneousness, the freedom. And she is SO neat .. nice to know there are other artists like me in that respect!
Love her work..indeed because of the spontaneousness and freedom of her work.I wish i could have that all the time in my work ;)
And her studio is so well organized…i didn't know that.
Wat een prachtig werk zeg kende haar nog niet. Superleuk zo met het interview erbij krijgt het veel meer betekenis.
Leuk interview, bedankt!
And Tilleke is a very hard worker.. she is very focused!
Thank you for a wonderful read Kitty.
I love this:
"People often think my work was made by someone younger. My work is pretty humourous though, while I find that younger artists can be a serious bunch."
Too true!! :)
hi Kitty,
yesterday I received the third prize (5000 euro) in the Summer exhibition 2011. I am very excited about it especially amidst many paintings and photographs.
All the best,
Tilleke
Oh, congratulations, Tilleke! How wonderful and well deserved!