Isabella Künzli Waller

Textile dyer

©Giulio Waller

Mastering the unpredictable

Isabella's first silk sheets in batik were for a fashion boutique in Lugano
She learned from local batik artists in Indonesia
She carries out courses for young people and adults

After a professional career as a stylist and textile designer, Isabella Künzli Waller felt the need to channel her creativity following an ancient, slow, meditative and nature friendly art form. She learned the batik dyeing technique in 2014 in Indonesia, carrying out various internships with internationally recognized professionals. Later, she refined her skills with the Dutch Benedictine nuns of the St. Hildegardis Monastery, experts in silk weaving and in the art of batik. Looking to innovate with the research of fabrics made from natural fibers and experimenting with natural dyes, she opened her own workshop in 2016. Her subjects are often figurative retaining strong references to the real world and human nature.

Interview

©Giulio Waller

©Giulio Waller

How is your craft tied to the territory?: Sericulture and silk factories are part of the history of the area. For natural dyes, I mainly use flowers, leaves, seeds, roots and vegetable waste such as persicaria tinctoria leaves, nettle and olive tree leaves, which I partly cultivate myself.
Do you master any specific techniques?: The traditional batik technique consists of alternating various layers of wax with natural dyes; sometimes combined with the shibori or ecoprint techniques. I specialise in making unique and exclusive pieces by paying particular attention to the handmade finishing touches.
How would you define what you do?: An experience that is always unique and singular, with unpredictable results given by the dyes on cracked wax that create crackle effects. It’s a slow, evolutionary and meditative process which always brings surprises with new shades and colour combinations.
What is less known about your work?: The lengthy creative process. Understanding that you work in negative, from the lightest colour to the darkest colour. Each time the wax is covered with the various colours obtained by mixing wisely and carefully the natural dyes.

Isabella Künzli Waller is a rising star: she began her career in 2016