We’re actually already pretty much in summer, but I can still just about get away with sending out my spring newsletter… It’s a pretty packed newsletter, though, because I kept putting off writing it.
The months just flew by!
Kaboom
It was so nice to be invited to show my film A Story of Unfolding Wings at the Kaboom Animation Festival in Utrecht. The textile film program Fibres of Feeling that was curated by Noa Mac Donald, was the festival’s opening program. The theater was packed, and it was wonderful to feel and hear that my film was well-received. A week later, I had the opportunity to give another introduction at the screening at the Eye Film Museum.
Unit4Art
My work is still on display at Unit4Art. It’s a lovely place; every time I walk into ‘my’ space, I feel the warmth of my own work radiating over me. Maybe that sounds strange, but it’s literally what I hear from others as well. During the exhibition TUSSENVORMEN – between art and objects in February, I also presented my book Stellata’s Weaving Art – 2024-2025. An overview of two years of weaving, I managed to fill 24 pages with it. The book, beautifully bound by Nobuko Hayashi, is available for purchase on my website.
And in between all this and my weaving research, I tried to get my Toika floor loom up and running. It’s really a different process than weaving on a so-called table loom, but I can see the advantages of weaving all kinds of glitches with different materials on this loom at a somewhat faster pace. And to weave a scarf every now and then. I’ve even woven a small piece already, but the shed (the opening for the shuttle with which I weave the weft) is still a bit messy. This week I’m getting some help!
Important dates
– now until (at least) October, my weavings are on display at Unit4Art, including new work!
– August 13-16, A Story of Unfolding Wings will be shown in the cinema at the Zomerparkfeest in Venlo – exact dates to follow.
– September 10-12, WEEF!2026, I’ll be giving weaving demonstrations and sharing a stand with Marieke Kranenburg, where I’ll be showing my work.
– September 18 & 19, A Story of Unfolding Wings will be presented in a special way during Festival de Verwondering – details to follow.
And on June 19 and 27, I’ll be performing with The SpaceChoir – see the bottom of this email!
Weaving Research
Layered Complexity
For this research project, I immediately began taking one-on-one lessons with Babs van den Thillart. I wanted to learn about multi-layer weaving, but with complex weave patterns, not the basic weave pattern normally used. We clicked right away, so she threw me in at the deep end. And it actually worked. I went from two layers to three layers, each with four shafts in two blocks. That’s 24 shafts, which I have on my Louet Magic Dobby. The loom works with a sort of punch card system, but instead using slats with pins. Back to the first computers!
The three-layer fabric ended up being 80 cm long (photo above, second from the left, with the blocks). But actually, that’s 2.4 meters, because you weave each weft three times, once in each layer. The fabric I’m currently weaving (photo below) consists of two layers, one with four heddles and one with eight, again in two blocks. It’s the final piece. From now on, I’ll be weaving with different materials, including thick carpet yarn. This weave is also more conceptual. I’m exploring how I can represent the layers of complexity in my life through textiles.
Layered Complexity is supported by the I&V Scheme of the CBK Rotterdam.
Transitions
In this research, I’m continuing to experiment with the possibilities of weaving film. In other words, I’m weaving patterns that come to life when I sequence the photos into an animation. And it’s exciting, because this week I will finally be taking the first photos of the four pieces I’ve woven, and hopefully also of the last weave which is still on the loom.
I spent a week weaving at New Order Of Fashion in Eindhoven, on their Magic Dobby loom with a computer-controlled dobby. Beforehand, I had a coaching session with Tess Martin, which gave me fresh inspiration for the piece I wove at NOOF. I also brought the inspiration from that coaching session with me to the weaving week I had in Friesland. At cre-A-ctief, I wove on the TC2, a jacquard loom where you do the weft by hand instead of by machine.
The two projects sometimes compete fiercely with each other. But I’m able to aThe two projects sometimes compete intensely with each other. But I’m able to alternate between them nicely. After a week of weaving, I spend a week on multi-layer weaving, instead of doing two days of each per week. It’s a wonderful, inspiring journey of discovery!
Transitions is supported by the Creative Industries Start-up Grant from the Stimuleringsfonds.
New Work
In between other projects, I wove two new pieces. Weaving my own work has become my weekend hobby, which works well for me because I love being busy with weaving. The bottom image is my piece Ocean of Colors. I wanted to create a wavy effect by using color and to try out new variations in my Shuffle Weaving Technique. The piece is 180 cm high and 65 cm wide.
The weave Noisy TV was made with carpet yarns. I wanted to see how these thick woolen yarns would work with my weaving techniques and ideas. I framed it in a wooden box frame, something I’d like to do more often. I was initially against it, I don’t like to be boxed in myself. But actually, I think it looks great.
On display in Gouda, at Unit4Art! If you’d like me to come by, we can make an appointment.
Personal
adhd
In the winter newsletter, I mentioned the suspected AuDHD. ADHD has now been diagnosed. I’ve noticed, by the way, that I prefer to write ADHD in lowercase, adhd. That also reflects how I feel about it. Maybe I sometimes come across as ADHD, but actually I feel much more at home with adhd, with a flower! It’s part of my personality and my work. Together with my psychiatrist, I’m now trying to find my way with medication first. The difference is surreal, as if my head, which is usually filled with all sorts of different topics, options, and detours every moment of the day, is being rinsed clean for a moment. A fresh little stream… The ideal balance is where I find peace without losing myself, my work style, and my floweriness. 🌸
The SpaceChoir
I’ve been singing with The SpaceChoir since January. It’s a pop choir with roots in the LGBTQI+ community, but everyone is welcome to join in. In Rotterdam, there are four groups that rehearse weekly with an average of about 80 people. I’m in the alto section myself, which I really enjoy, my voice fits perfectly there. I love practicing at home; singing always makes me happy, even when I’m in a bad mood. The rehearsals are full of positive energy, you suddenly become part of the whole.
We also do shows! And very soon, too…
On the evening of June 19, I’ll be singing with the choir three times at the Parade in Rotterdam; tickets are 7 euros…
On June 27, I’ll be part of the choir in the afternoon show at Amare in The Hague, with 240 other choir members! Tickets are almost sold out…
+ A friend bought two tickets but can’t make it. Row 12! Contact me if you’re interested…
Finally, just a little bit of gender euphoria. I had to renew my public transport card and, of course I chose the flower photo. While I’m still happy with the old photo, I really like seeing where I am now. Can you spot the differences?
Lots of love,
Stellata ♡
