Sanja Lulei

Weaver

Kleine Rückblende©Melanie Warnstaedt

Hendrik Mallmann©Sabine Scheer

©Hendrik Mallmann & Sabine Scheer

©Melanie Warnstaedt

©Sabine Scheer

Weaving for wellbeing

Sanja creates bespoke woven pieces for interiors
Her textiles are colourful and tactile
The double-weave is one of her favourite techniques

With a career that spans almost 20 years in the textile industry, Sanja Lulei has explored an extensive range of possibilities to become the deft textile designer and weaver she is recognised for being today. She prides herself on manipulating textile surfaces and placing them into novel contexts. With her interior pieces, Sanja aims to create exciting and striking surface effects and cosy ambiences. She makes wall coverings, cushions, plaids and even lamps. Sanja weaves and hand-dyes textiles that engage the senses comprehensively. She marries contemporary aesthetics with the comfort of natural materials, often incorporating structured surfaces in innovative ways.

Interview

Kleine Rückblende©Melanie Warnstaedt

Sanja Lulei

How did you become a weaver?: What is fascinating about weaving is the inexhaustible variety that emerges from the interplay of fibre, colour, and form. The technical foundations of hand weaving and the breaking of the boundaries of traditional techniques captivated me right from the start of my textile art and design studies.
What are your sources of inspiration?: Following my intuition, I explore new ways of weaving by generating exciting textiles. Flat, folded or tubular fabrics, they are my creative origins. Light and fibres inspire me as I discover new creations through double fabric techniques.
How do tradition and innovation combine in your work?: At the intersection of art, design, and weaving, sensory textiles combine modern aesthetics with comfort. Double weave forms 3D pieces without sewing. Timeless designs are about merging tradition and innovation in experimental textiles.
Do you have any unique approaches to weaving?: My unique approach to weaving is to create high-quality interior concepts that provide a high level of wellbeing. I focus on crafting textiles for a holistic sensory experience in which touch, sight, and scent are interconnected.

Sanja Lulei is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2002 and she started teaching in 2022