London

Veronica Pock

Weaver | The Hague, Netherlands

Weaving with the unlikely

Veronica works with natural fibres and historically charged materials
Her inspiration comes from nature, abstract art and the material itself
Showcasing her work has been a main highlight in her journey

Veronica Pock's practice centres on handwoven works with a sense of stillness that draws viewers in. After training in chemistry, she went on to study fashion and textiles at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague, where she learned to work conceptually and choose materials that actively shape and inspire her work. Veronica uses natural fibres such as linen, wool, hemp and paper, often integrating materials that have been previously used and carry history, such as maps and cassette tape ribbons. Her pieces, often poetic, explore the stories embedded in these materials and the fragile, ephemeral nature of memory. "My creations reveal layers of meaning that unfold slowly, through quiet contemplation," Veronica explains.

Interview

How do you include maps in your work?: I use old walking maps with rain splashes and other marks. They make the material meaningful. I shred the maps and weave the strips into the warp, which prompts different patterns to emerge from the contour lines. Initially, we see the whole piece, but moving closer, we see places, names or contours that form different shapes.
How do you make your wearable pieces?: I make handwoven scarves from lambswool and linen. They are a reflection of abstract colours drawn together. I usually have a picture in my mind and work on paper to making collages inspired by natural materials, such as pebbles, leaves and shells. From there, I pull together the yarn colours that I use in the scarves.
What does well made mean to you?: Sometimes, I leave pieces sitting for weeks or months as I cannot always finish them in one go. Well made means the right materials have been carefully considered. They do not have to be expensive, but the quality needs to be right and I need to feel content with the technical finishes.
Do you have any plans for the future?: I am integrating new elements in my pieces, so I am excited to see my work evolving. I want to continue exhibiting, in the hopes that my work can bring a little quietness into people’s lives – something peaceful and inspiring in a very busy world.

Veronica Pock is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2006