Nederlandse versie hier.
After a period of many changes and weaves, it’s suddenly almost Christmas again! So it’s time for a newsletter… And for the cinema, because on Saturday 13 December, A Story of Unfolding Wings will be screened at Filmhuis Den Haag as part of the Roots Film Festival. You can order tickets here. Afterwards, there will be a Q&A in which I will delight in shining again.
In 2025, I was initially unable to find funding for my research plans. Or for my livelihood, for that matter. At times, I feared the decision I made in 2024 to focus entirely on weaving with some freelance work would prove to be a mistake. Especially now that the latter was also declining. But with the help of the municipality, I stubbornly continued weaving. How wonderful were the last few weeks, when lovely messages appeared in my mailbox. Not one, but two grant applications for weaving research were approved!
During that period, I worked on my Artist Publication. It started as a booklet containing my work. A portfolio like the ones I usually submit with grant applications. But during the design process and through my collaboration with bookbinding artist Nobuko Hayashi, whom I met at Showspace DOT, it began to look more like a work of art.
The text is almost finished. I decided to write in blog style because that’s the best way for me to explain in which way my work expresses my feelings, how it’s part of my DNA. Next come the final changes to the design, after which Nobuko will do the foil printing and we will start the bookbinding process together.
Weaving research
The first half of 2026 will be spent entirely in research mode. Both CBK Rotterdam and the Creative Industries Fund NL have decided to approve my research applications! The weaving research projects are each estimated to take two working days per week, so I can establish a nice weekly routine for myself. On Mondays, I start the week by weaving shawls and doing freelance work. Although I often end up weaving into the weekend, it is so inspiring and good for my mind!
Layered Complexity – Tuesday + Wednesday
Because in a weave the warp threads always remain in view, it is not possible to weave a pure blue surface if the warp consists solely of red threads. Unless you weave in two layers and alternate those layers in blocks. This is often done with plain weave, the simplest weave. But I want to alternate complex patterns and apply this in multiple layers.
Later in the research period, I will look for ways to translate my personal layers into the fabrics. In the first three months, Babs van der Thillart will help me with technique and concept development. I will also document my technical findings from both research projects in a new weaving wiki, weaveworld.eu. Named after that fantastic book by Clive Barker! Actually a great reading tip for the winter months!
Transitions – Thursday + Friday
After making A Story of Unfolding Wings, I knew I wanted more. At some point, I will make a second stop-motion weaving animation. Mainly because I discovered so many new methods for getting fabrics to move during the eight months I spent weaving the first film. I want to continue puzzling, starting with variations on my Shuffle weaving technique, but then using complex patterns. Like bringing the image below to life.
Creative Producer Marc Thelosen will coach me on all aspects of such a project. And I am still looking for an animator who wants to discuss the film’s scenario with me. There is also a form of collaboration with New Order of Fashion in Eindhoven, and in April I will spend a week weaving on the jacquard loom (the TC2) at cre-A-ctief in Friesland. Finally, together with Eefje Habraken and Anne Kolbe, we will come up with pieces of sound for the woven test pieces. From this, I will create a teaser for my second weaving animation, to be developed later
My first weaving exhibition and cinema screenings
It was very special to see A Story of Unfolding Wings on the big screen during Transcreen on Tour. I was nervous beforehand, afraid that the rapidly changing patterns would be too busy on such a large surface in a pitch-dark room. But it was beautiful, and I received wonderful applause and much appreciation during the Q&A, where I sat wrapped in the fabric I wove for Boymask. On 13 December, I will have another chance, this time in room 1. And again with a Q&A. It would be great if you could join us. The programme is called ROOTS Ultra Short 1 and starts at 4 p.m.
At the end of September, Showspace DOT, set up by Marleen de Puydt and Nobuko Hayashi, had its first opening during GRAW in Rotterdam. It was the first exhibition in which I showed my weaves, including my new Glitching Mermaids and Ocular Glitches. My work is still on display and can be viewed by appointment. Or if you happen to be in the neighbourhood, but there’s no guarantee that it will be open. Broken Waves is my latest weave and is now also on display!
Personal
In recent months, I have been diving deeper into the multi-layered complexity of my existence. I never really get around to listening to podcasts, but I have now listened to quite a few episodes about AuDHD, a combination of autism and ADHD. I recognize various behaviors: movements with my fingers, legs, body, I even flap my hands sometimes when no one is around. I am sensitive to bright light and noise and prefer to avoid large groups and events. And I have a strong need for all kinds of routines.
At the same time, I have moments of hyperactivity and fear of rejection (RSD) and I am actually often in my element at those busy events when I do go, from which I then return home happy but completely exhausted. Just as with my gender dysphoria I have masked many of these things, but I am slowly learning to recognize them and experience them differently. It gives me insight into how I work internally, why I sometimes get so stuck, but also why I am so refreshingly unconventional in my approach to weaving techniques!
Perhaps that is why weaving is so ideal for me. I can endlessly discover, learn and experiment and still come back to the familiar basics. And weave super-complex noise! I am going for the diagnosis and have been on the waiting list for a while. In addition to research into weaving, I will also continue to explore my psyche in 2026. But first, a peaceful holiday season. Partly with my son.
Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s eve! And a delightful, diversity-loving 2026!
Love,
Stellata ♡
