Indrė Biekšaitė-Vilčinskienė

Tapestry maker

Textile photographs of the 21st century

Indrė is a tapestry weaver who uses photography as a creative starting point
She is fascinated by scale, perspective and colour
She is committed to using traditional tapestry weaving techniques

Indrė Biekšaitė-Vilčinskienė is a textile artist specialising in classical tapestry making. "Tapestries have been woven in the same way since ancient times. They are like paintings, but instead of paint and brush to make them, I use thread and loom to tell all sorts of stories," she says. Although initially drawn to applied graphics, textiles fascinated Indrė with their possibilities. She does not experiment with textile working techniques, as she finds everything she needs in the technique and composition of classical tapestry. She uses traditional principles and techniques to represent the present-day. Indrė uses photography to capture fragments of everyday life, which she then translates into a woven wall-hanging. She exhibits her work in solo and group exhibitions, bringing a touch of traditional craftsmanship into the field of contemporary art.

Interview

What inspires you?: Observing nature and capturing its changes through photography. The motifs in my work are often determined by chance, by the moment. I am also very inspired by artists who can work large scale, such as Victor Vasarely. I am very affected by monumentality, size, optical effects, colours and their gradients.
What do you like about making tapestries?: I am fascinated by this craft because of its possibilities. I can create a tapestry with as many details as I please. It is incredibly versatile and allows me to tell stories through textiles.
When do you consider a work of yours to be finished?: None of my pieces are ever good enough for me. Good work must not only be flawlessly executed but also raise questions for the viewer. In addition to technical excellence, it has to convey an idea that opens up a discussion.
What is your relationship to tradition?: The motifs of my work are contemporary, reflecting the present, but from a technical point of view it is completely traditional. In my work I choose to portray snapshots of the times we live in, using one of the oldest textile techniques. Contemporary scenes are shown through classical composition and classical performance.

Indrė Biekšaitė-Vilčinskienė is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2005