Ágnes Kovácsné Pócza
The lacemaker of the village
- Ágnes' lace work features in the Höveji Lace Museum
- Her work captures Hungarian regional folk culture
- She makes custom made pieces for special occassions
Learning the art of lacemaking from her mother, Ágnes Kovácsné Pócza continues the local Höveji tradition which is unique to the region. Sewing everything by hand from table decorations to items of clothing for special occasions such as christenings and weddings, each single piece of work can take months to create. Made to order, customers can choose from multiple motif designs. Today, thankfully the craft is experiencing a resurgence. Local communities of women are finding new ways to create meaningful employment opportunities by practising and marketing their handicraft. Younger generations are increasingly taking up the art thanks to the efforts of the local Höveji Lace Association.
Interview
- What attracted you to the art of lacemaking?
- My mother of course had a considerable influence on me. I would watch her practise lacemaking when I was young and see the painstaking work that went into creating each piece. The end product was so beautiful, that of course, I was drawn to the art.
- What brings you the most joy from your art?
- I love to see the sparkle in people’s eyes when they come across my work – it really makes me delighted. Plus, of course, seeing my work showcased in exhibitions and winning awards brings me a lot of joy.
- What advice would you give to younger generations?
- Lacemaking takes a considerable amount of time and patience – these skills are absolutely essential to practise this craft, something students should bear in mind. However, students committed to the art will see improvements in their work very quickly.
- What is the future for your craft?
- Our particular style of lacemaking, which is unique to our local region, is experiencing a resurgence. Thanks to the establishment of the Höveji Lace Association, as well as the renovation of the Hövej Lace Museum, not only is there renewed interest in the art but we are training new students in the craft.
Ágnes Kovácsné Pócza is a master artisan: she began her career in 1975 and she started teaching in 2011
Works
Where
Ágnes Kovácsné Pócza
