Timeless textiles made to last
- Traditional Swedish weaving processes influence Estelle's work
- She mixes analogue techniques with digitally processed patterns
- Old sheets and repurposed climbing ropes are often used as weft in her rugs
Born to a Swedish mother and a Swiss father, Estelle Bourdet was raised in a mountain village in French-speaking Switzerland and spent her childhood summers in the Swedish coastal region of Hälsingland. Her Swedish great grandmother was a weaver, and their summerhouse was filled with her handwoven rugs, curtains, napkins and blankets, as well as fishing nets and tools. This environment made a strong impact on Estelle as a child, which echoes in her artistic practice today. After four years working in events and communications, she applied to the École Cantonale d’Art de Lausanne (ECAL), where she specialised in textiles. Further study followed at the Hochschule Luzern HSLU and the school for Craft and Design, Capellagården, Sweden.
Interview
- When did you decide to start weaving?
- I’ve always been attracted to textiles, textures and colours. I’ve always had a piece of fabric or a ball of wool in my backpack, sewing or crocheting while travelling or at school. I chose weaving because of my Swedish origins; it was during my second year at ECAL, and I've stuck to it since then.
- How is your craft linked to your homeland?
- For me every craft is linked to a place because its origins are usually strongly attached to a region or a land. For instance, my latest weavings are inspired by the Swedish ragrugs (trasmatta), which are culturally and historically important in Sweden.
- What inspires your creations?
- I am inspired by domestic spaces and our habits within them. My textiles often reflect the characteristics of rooms through their colours, proportions and motifs that explore the representation of living spaces.Textiles are used in all rooms of a house, both for their decorative and functional values.
- How important is tradition in your work?
- It is very important to me for old crafts like traditional weaving to stay alive and be carried forward by a younger generation, so I was very honoured to receive second prize in La Relève des Métiers d’art Suisse in 2020.
Estelle Bourdet is a rising star: she began her career in 2018 and she started teaching in 2022
Where
Estelle Bourdet
