Mirja Wark

Golden Haand

Weaver

©Bo Scheringa

©Anneke Hymmen

Keeping endangered weaving traditions alive

Mirja's travels form the inspiration for her weaving
Tribal traditions inform her learning
She is committed to teaching ethnic weaves in order to preserve them for the future

Sewing her own clothes by the age of 12, Mirja Wark was destined to create textiles as a profession. Although she didn’t start off this way, opting instead for a career in physiotherapy, while learning to spin and weave in her spare time. Before long, the loom took hold permanently, and through the teachings of various weavers, completing a three-year course for Artist Handweavers in Ghent and taking over a weaving school for five years, she was well on her way to becoming a practised weaver. Moving to far-flung regions such as Oman, Tripoli, Damascus and Venezuela led her to absorb their unique weaving techniques, capturing her maker’s imagination. Determined to share her knowledge of these precious techniques, she offers her own ethnic weaving courses, helping to keep those weaving traditions alive.

Interview

©Bo Scheringa

©Anneke Hymmen

Have you mastered any specific techniques?: All the western styles of weaving – with a specific interest in ethnic weaves, with primitive tools amazing results are often achieved. Once I have mastered the technique, I take time to digest that technique to create a work of art, giving it my own spin.
What are your specialisations?: Wayuu Si’ira weaving. I wrote a book about this endangered craft from Venezuela. I am also very interested in Libyan Baghnough and patterned cushion weaving; Syrian tent band and silk weaving; Omani camel girth weaving; Venezuelan Alpargata weaving, as well as ancient techniques from Mesopotamia; Taqueté and Samitum.
How do you innovate in your work?: I use traditional techniques and give them my own ‘twist’ by using new, coarser materials and weave on a modern dobby loom. Or I simply use a technique in a different way such as weaving Alpargata patterns as lettering onto banners with old Christian names I found on graves in my village.
Can you name a memorable moment from your professional life?: My first trip to the Wayuu tribe. I lived amongst them for two weeks, sitting on a stone eight hours a day as grandmother Cantus showed me the technique with rapid fingers. I managed to get half a belt woven; months later I returned to show my finished belt and they accepted me as one of the family.

Mirja Wark is a master artisan: she began her career in 1976 and she started teaching in 1986