Resisting the blank canvas
- Willemien explores botanical and human forms in her embroidered pieces
- She works with a multitude of techniques including stitching, cyanotype and eco-printing
- Her process is driven by repetition, which echoes natural growth and cellular rhythms
Willemien de Villiers’ embroidery rejects perfection and embraces irregularity. "Material choice is central to this approach," she says. Willemien works exclusively with second hand vintage cloths, drawn to the histories embedded within the fabric. Through cyanotype printing and eco-printing, the surfaces she works on are further transformed as she introduced botanical forms and deliberate staining. "What is usually regarded as damage becomes storytelling," she explains. "A stain marks an event, a moment lived." Willemien integrates recurring motifs with appliqué, including lifesaving imagery, plant forms and references to human anatomy. Through stitch, stain and repetition, her work resists the idea of the blank canvas, which allows the cloth to hold deeper meaning.
Interview
- What do you love most about embroidery?
- I love that it is inherently meditative. Even if the process seems chaotic, it remains calming to me. Embroidery is a deeply satisfying way to tell a story. I use all the elements at my disposal, from stitches and textures to materials and patterns, to express ideas that are sometimes hard to put into words.
- Is your work part of any particular artistic movements?
- There are slight overlaps with craftivism, since some of my themes are socially motivated, though not overtly political. I would not call myself a political artist, but I try to draw attention to issues like gender-based violence. There is often a feminist undertone, and in a way, the medium itself is the message.
- How do you share your skills with others?
- I run an online workshop, a space where a large group of participants from all over can connect with me, ask questions and discuss techniques and ideas. It is a way of sharing my process and engaging with a curious community.
- What advice do you have for aspiring embroiderers?
- Abandon all the rules and focus on finding your voice. Try not to look too much at what other people are doing. Follow the energy that draws you in and the materials that spark joy or curiosity, and work with what speaks to you.
Willemien de Villiers is an expert artisan: she began her career in 1978
Works
Where
Willemien de Villiers
