Monika Hint

Koordikamber

Bone worker

The colours of bones

Monika makes traditional objects with animal bones
Experimentation with dyes and other natural materials such as felt is at the core of her practice
Bone cleaning is an essential part of her craft

A bone found on a spring day walk changed the work and life path of Monika Hint. She began to experiment with the mystical yet awe-inspiring material of animal bone, sometimes combining it with other natural materials. Her pieces are created with acute awareness of the life cycle and with respect for sustainable practices at every step of the creation process. Monika's works are colourful functional objects. She has developed a deep-rooted knowledge of artisanal traditions that have been passed on to her from earlier generations, and in turn, she has passed on this knowledge to her students through workshops and classes.

Interview

What inspires you in your craft?: My inspiration often sparks at night with visions, or when I do searches online, discover museums or wander through the markets. I love kaleidoscopes and the thought of various sustainable pieces inside a tube.
What techniques do you master?: I master the various processes of bone working such as carving, dyeing, bleaching, creating effects, and so on. I work entirely without the use of electrical equipment and synthetic materials. Sometimes I use laser for miniature engraving.
What do people not usually know about your craft?: Bone as a craft material is not well known. Its properties, potential and requirements are not well known. It has to be cleaned to become a usable material. There are several multi-day processes for the cleaning of bones, so that they may be made into an object.
What else would you like people to know?: Bone as a material seems scary for many people, for instance, vegans. However, it is a very powerful material as some traditional tools can only be made out of bone due to its unique properties.

Monika Hint is a master artisan: she began her career in 2010 and she started teaching in 2011