Signe Emdal

Twisting textile traditions

• Signe opened Emdal Studio in 2007
• She has a master's in flexible materials from Kolding Design School
• She did an apprenticeship with Danish master Ole Strange

Informed by craft traditions, but pursuing contemporary innovation, Signe uses digital and analogue textile processes to create tapestries, artworks and unique products. Inspired by nature, master artisans of the past and historic objects, her work is a harmonious mix of cultures, periods and methods, always with the aim of connecting: the past with the present, tradition with the modern world, and craft cultures from different places. “Most of my new concepts, visions and ideas arrive when I’m not working. Therefore, I must prioritise off-work time over the actual work,” she explains. Signe also likes to connect with museums, artists and brands that share her philosophy, which has resulted in collaborations with Floor Story, Skagen Kunstmuseer and The National Gallery of Denmark .

Interview

©Theis Mortensen

©Kristine Funch

How did you get into textile design?

I trained at a knitting machine factory in the Danish countryside. The master artisan Ole Strange had a small production of fabrics made with an old vintage circular knitting machine from the 70s. He took me into his family and was like a second father to me.

What do you do at your studio?

The core of my creative practice is to embody the ambience of nature and historic spaces, and to transform them into physical materials and objects. I work with both traditional wooden looms and industrial digital machines, but I never create colours on the computer; it is always done by physically mixing yarns.

You travel a lot. Does this influence your work?

The studio is based in Copenhagen by the sea, but I enjoy working from nomadic offices at remote artist residencies around the world. The locations influence my work and choice of colours.

What is your most memorable piece?

For the National Gallery of Denmark, I made a translation of a painting from 1917 into a tapestry. It was a long, slow, unique, spiritual process. I experienced a sort of collaboration with the soul of the late master painter, Astrid Holm.

Signe Emdal is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2002

Works

©Kristian Emdal

©Daniela Reiner

©All rights reserved

©Daniela Reiner

©Kristian Emdal

Where