Vera Vermeersch

Carpet maker

©Frederik Van Allemeersch

The poetry of fine carpet making

Vera's carpets are made using the technique of hand-tufting
Strands of wool are punched into a canvas stretched on a frame
Vera feels a well made object has to express the passion of the maker

Upon graduating in art history from the University of Ghent, Vera Vermeersch already knew she was not interested in an academic career. She felt she was not a woman of theories, instead she wanted to work with her hands. She took a course at the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage Brussels (KIK) and trained in tapestry restoration at a specialised workshop, opening her independent restoration studio in 1988. “However, I soon realised that a restorer cannot be creative. So, with my creative genes, I preferred to start a studio where I would be weaving the designs of artists as well as my own. But since weaving is time-consuming and hardly realistic, I decided to revert to hand-tufting, which is quicker and offers more creative possibilities.”

Interview

©Frederik Van Allemeersch

Where does your passion for textiles come from?: Textiles have always been a connecting thread in my life. At home we had sheep and goats and I was always fascinated by wool. The first thing I did was learn how to spin. Then I learned to weave, and to dye the threads with plants. I adored experimenting with different weaving techniques and materials.
Do you remember the first carpet you created?: My first carpet was inspired by a design by my father José Vermeersch, who was a ceramist and sculptor. I was also very inspired by the drawings of my children (who were still small at the time), so I made many carpets based on children’s drawings.
Then what happened?: In the same period, artists discovered the medium I was working with and orders started to arrive from both domestic and foreign designers and artists. I believe the combination of history of art, restoration of antique textiles and experimental weaving was a good base for the creation of contemporary carpets.
What do you love most about making carpets?: I try to bring poetry to carpets. I like searching for colours to express the right feeling, looking for the best pattern and translating the virtuosity of the design in the composition. Reading the design critically, carefully and accurately is essential in order to interpret it.

Vera Vermeersch is an expert artisan: she began her career in 1989