Theo Rooden

Weaver

©Theo Rooden

©Mathieu Gielen

©Tjitske Sluis

©Theo Rooden

The geometry of textile

Theo opened his workshop in 2019
He uses algorithms and his own systems to create
He observes the everyday world to get inspired

Theo Rooden originally trained to be an industrial design engineer, and later took courses in graphic design. He moved from problem-solving as an industrial design engineer to more autonomy as a visual artist as a second career. “I remember that the moment I first sat at a loom in 2017, I had a great desire to master this with full dedication," he says. Theo learned weaving at De Ambachtelijke Weverij (Sytze Roos) and joined masterclasses there. “I started with some kitchen towels and scarves. I soon made the decision to only focus on artwork (wall hangings) and rugs. In my early weaving works, I already liked the colour interactions between warp and weft. A fascination that has stayed, and that always leads me to new ideas.”

Interview

©Amanda Rooden

Is there a relationship between The Netherlands and your work?: The techniques and materials that I use are not very local, but my personal artistic style could be seen as Dutch – geometric, minimalistic, organised. I master those techniques that fit my artistic style.
Which techniques do you feel most at ease with?: I like weaving techniques that allow for geometric compositions. Most of my recent pieces are made on the single-unit damask loom. I stand out for my unique way of using weaving techniques to create images. I do not follow in other weavers' footsteps in the way they apply techniques and colour.
How do you get along with tradition and innovation?: I respect traditional techniques. I need to understand and master the technique in order to play with it. There needs to be some logic between the origin of the technique and my ‘innovative’ decisions. I aim at making pieces that are contemporary.
What do you enjoy most when you are working?: The making. I enjoy being in my atelier and going through all the steps of producing a piece, from dressing the loom to the actual weaving. I like the slowness of this craft, the repetitiveness of actions, and seeing the pattern emerge on the loom.

Theo Rooden is a rising star: he began his career in 2019