Feltmakers Ireland asked long time member Astrid about her inspiration for the Exhibition title ” Endangered”.
My Secret Garden- I was deeply impressed by my grandparents’ garden. The memory of colourful things and strange shapes, fascinated me!My inspiration of nature and textile are influenced from those sources. The materials are telling stories about life, people with their feelings, dreams, wishes, thoughts and sadness. I looked for a way to incorporate this memory into my felt making work.I chose wet felting technique with different materials who elaborated in this wall-piece. My intention is to invite the viewer to touch and investigate my piece of memory!
The second piece ” Light like a Feather, but can’t Fly ” , is supposed to inspire earth care and respect for the environment as well as to create awareness and encourage taking responsibility for our environment ! This particular piece commemorates the oil disaster of the Gulf of Mexico in 2010.
What has it been like crafting through the current crisis?
In this challenging time, I try to get a different aspect to managing my daily routine. Suddenly, I had more time, in one way, I was excited to have time working on pieces there laying in boxes waiting to be finished.Also to do some experimental work, exploring new ways and new materials.
How and when did you discover felt?
Through a friend I was introduced to felting in 2002. I learned how to work with different types of wool, researget new techniques and materials.I was overwhelmed, amazed and fascinated about using wool to shape my ideas. There a endless possibilities and I`m delighted to keep this exciting ancient craft alive. I aim to make unique hand-felted surfaces!
As the “Something Red” exhibition continues to run in Jamsa, Finland and we get ever closer to the Shoreline Arts Festival in Co. Galway in September… This week’s 3 featured artists are Astrid Tomrop-Hofmann, Pippa Sweeney & Asta Gauronskyte.
Astrid Tomrop-Hoffman
Artist – Astrid Tomrop-Hofmann
The Glow worms Nest
The materials, shapes, structures and colors of my native surroundings provide inspiration for my creations .
Working with different raw-wool types (unwashed and uncarded fleece loosened by hand ) fascinates me.
This piece embodies warmth, softness and protection .The upright rods radiate decisiveness and togetherness , all the while surrounded by organic matter.
I like the challenge of working with different materials. It is so fascinating. Under the hands of the designer or maker the fibres enter into communication and transform into a new structure and design.
Sale price. €600.00
Materials – Finnwool, Mongolish – Karakul used as the base. Wool locks from white Romney, white Mohair, Blueface Leicester brown and white. Silk bark, and hand dyed linen- cotton yarn and silk fibres.
The Mermaid visiting at Fenora Beach
The inspiration for this piece are different materials and techniques, which have been employed in felt production for thousands of years.
I envisioned merging the textures of the Pongee – Silk with fine Merino wool to create a fish-skin effect . This is further embellished by adding Silk Fibre and a Kap-wool fin .
The piece is finished with free motion hand embroidery . Overall the Mermaid is an expression of emotion and consequentiality.
The piece itself represents the motion ~ ebb and flow of the tides ,waves of the ocean .Felting generates concentration ,punctuality, excitement and surprises ! My work always tell a story of their own
The beauty of beach stones, their origins, journeys and destinations has been the inspiration for Pippa’s shibori felt work over the past few years.In 2018 she held a solo exhibition in Ireland entitled ‘Between a Rock and a Soft Place” which explored the metaphor of stones as people, where human population can be represented by jostling stones of diverse origins, with all their differences, imperfections and beauty – each with their own story.
This piece ‘The Beauties and The Beast” in which a red knotted rope emerges from between stones represents the very real threat of plastics and rubbish on our beaches, a strangling, destructive danger emerging from between us all.
Sale price – €450.00
Materials – merino wool using the shibori method.
Asta Gauronskyte
Asta Gauronskyte
Artist – Asta Gauronskyte
Scarlet & Black Boots
My life has been about designing and making both clothing and accessories. While crafting these pieces they managed to weave themselves into the fabric of my self, making them a special creation. This was in part due to the ballad “Lady in Red” continually playing in my subconscious. The themes of love, passion and drawing attention show themselves in the design . A touch of black in the redboth calms down the power at the same time as hinting seduction. ”
Sale price. €350.00
If sold along with the matching Bag the set is €500.00
Materials –24 mc Tirol wool , 21mc Merino wool , black silk chiffon fabric with sequins.
Metal shoe zip, natural leather heel box and innersole all sewn by hand.
High heel rubber pads firstly glued with special shoe glues and then sewn by hand.
Notes – The boots are a UK size 6, EUsize 39.
Scarlet &Black Bag
My life has been about designing and making both clothing and accessories. While crafting these pieces they managed to weave themselves into the fabric of my self, making them a special creation. This was in part due to the ballad “Lady in Red” continually playing in my subconscious. The themes of love, passion and drawing attention show themselves in the design . A touch of black in the redboth calms down the power at the same time as hinting seduction. ”
Sale price. €180.00
If sold along with the matching boots the cost for the set is €500.00
Materials – 24 mc Tirol wool , 21mc Merino wool , black silk chiffon fabric with sequins, Metal kisslock bag frame, lining made from 100% linen fabric.
With thanks to DCCoI for part funding this exhibition.
Feltmakers Ireland 