Eyes on a tradition of felt making
- Nazilya is a felt artist from Tatarstan
- She learnt her craft from her grandparents
- Her work is inspired by nature, ancestry and identity
Nazilya Nagimova creates felt sculptures and installations inspired by the key themes of nature, ancestral spiritual beliefs and cultural identity. She learned felting as a child from her grandparents. After their passing, Nazilya spent 20 years without felting, a time during which she studied art in Kazan (Russia) and Münster (Germany), focusing on painting. She eventually returned to felting and is since embracing the traditional techniques of her familial and cultural heritage to create objects that weave together a rich and evolving tapestry of past and present, spirituality, and cultural identity. "With my work, I help preserve my Tatar heritage and traditions," she says. Nature and a respect for the environment are another important element of Nazilya’s approach, as she seeks to preserve age-old methods of crafting, making each piece a blend of art and cultural heritage.
Discover her work
INTERVIEW
I learned felting in my childhood from my grandparents and relatives. Felting was a natural part of my family’s life in a small steppe village in Tatarstan. I am fascinated by the properties and the archaic simplicity of the felt manufacturing process, and use my installations to explore the material's possibilities.
My artistic vision is deeply influenced by my childhood experiences, the spiritual beliefs of my Tatar ancestors, and nature. I also find inspiration in the unique blend of animistic traditions and monotheistic religions.
The preservation of my mother tongue which carries the essence of my people's history and identity plays a significant role in my creative process. The transformations in our lives further enrich my work, offering a rich tapestry of themes to explore and express. This intricate mix of past and present, spirituality and cultural identity forms the foundation of my art.
Nature plays a significant role in my creative process. I primarily work with sheep's wool, which I dye using mostly herbal dyes. These dyes not only enhance the natural beauty of the fibres but also reflect a deep connection to nature and traditional practices.
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