Taking lace to the air
- Céline gives wool an architectural dimension
- Her practice is built on traditional textile techniques
- She learned the regional bobbin lace technique at Hôtel de la Dentelle in Brioude
Wool lies at the heart of Céline Camilleri's practice and serves as her primary source of inspiration. "The material is abundant in my region, the French Massif Central. I felt compelled to explore wool anew, and transform this humble fibre into sculptures with a fresh perspective," she says. Drawing on her training in textile crafts, Céline reinterprets weaving and bobbin lacemaking in 3D forms. The raw fibre becomes thread and gradually transforms into sculpture that inhabits space through a series of meticulous gestures and expansive movements. In her pieces, Céline aims to convey the inspiration she finds in landscapes, and to create works that transport the viewer into sensory discovery.
Interview
- What inspired you to explore textiles?
- I have trained in a variety of textile techniques, including weaving and lacemaking. I draw inspiration from the richness of patterns and skills passed down across cultures, gradually translating these crafts to new scales. I explore a textile language that, for me, takes on an architectural expression.
- Are you formally trained in lacemaking?
- I trained at the Hôtel de la Dentelle in Brioude, an association that teaches bobbin lace, a traditional regional craft. What I find interesting about this technique is how it integrates gesture, which allows me to 'draw' in space. The thread becomes a line.
- Do you feel a responsibility to preserve this tradition?
- It is more about enthusiasm than duty, almost a desire to share. The Brioude archives, for example, are a testament to this heritage, which showcase the technique, inventiveness and creativity of another era. I want to offer a renewed perspective on bobbin lacemaking and highlight its richness.
- What are the first steps in your creative process?
- I start by drafting a sketch of my idea, which begins as a raw impression and guides me in envisioning how I will bring it to life. Next, I prepare the cords, which takes hours to coil as I repeat the same gesture. I then weave the cords into lace patterns, carefully interlacing them. This work demands intense focus and meticulous attention to every movement.
Céline Camilleri is a rising star: she began her career in 2018 and she started teaching in 2024
Works
Where
Céline Camilleri
