in Marian Bijlenga's studio

Last May, I had the privilege of visiting dutch artist Marian Bijlenga in her studio in Amsterdam.

I was there with other members of the European Textile Network who attended the Leiden conference in 2015.

Marian Bijlenga creates serene, contemplative drawings from small elements.  The little parts that make up the larger whole are similar but never identical.  The artist takes her inspiration from nature, the curves and movement of leaves on the trees, the swirling motion of water, the fungus that grows on rocks and trees.

Marian was very generous and showed us her methods of working, her walls of inspiration, her collection of art, and the loft where her children would sleep when they were little.

a wall in Bijlenga's studio

a wall in Bijlenga's studio

She has had this studio for 30 years.  There are two buildings close together with 120 artists working in them.  Above you can see a glimpse of her wall of postcards  that she calls her 'brain'.

Her materials are dyed horsehair, cotton thread.  She can manipulate the horsehair into circles and other shapes.

These she sews into a water soluble fabric which is then washed away.  Her technique gives the pieces a look of fragile transparency, but they are actually quite strong.  The cast shadow on the wall is part of the work.  A video of this process is here.

Every two years, Bijlenga creates small spiral bound albums that record her recent work as well as the exhibitions and her sources of inspiration.  These are personal records.

 She makes small samples of 3 inch squares and puts them together as an archive.  

Her newest book of sixty miniatures has just been published.

Marian Bijlenga doesn't do commissions.  She works alone and rarely teaches.
Although her work keeps evolving, it remains true to her personal aesthetic.
I plan to write more about her work and will indicate that article with a link here.