Rasuolė Andriukaitienė

Erčia

Weaver

©Lina Dindiene

©Liudas Masys

©Lina Dindiene

Making modern rugs the traditional way

Rasuolė is fascinated by old Lithuanian textiles and history
She learned to weave from old weaving masters
Through her colours and works she is reviving the relevance of weaving

As a child, Rasuolė Andriukaitienė watched her grandmother weave. "In a way, weaving was in my blood," she says. She saw the old patterns and felt that this was her path. She first learned her craft from old master weavers with simple fabrics, and then continued her weaving studies at the Tamošaičiai Gallery. Rasuolė's first woven works were two Lithuanian national costumes, based on historical examples. Later, she became interested in interior design. Her first rugs were born as a combination of traditional Lithuanian folk weaving and a modern colour palette. In 2018, she set up her own weaving house, Erčia. In her workshop, Rasuolė weaves cushions, tablecloths and rugs out of Lithuanian linen and wool, drawing on historical research on Lithuanian folk fabrics and spreading the love of her craft.

Interview

©Liudas Masys

©Lina Dindiene

What are your goals in your work?: In a way, my goal is to bring traditional Lithuanian weaving – the colours and techniques – into the modern human environment. Something that is old can look very modern. Works made with old techniques can look great in a modern interior.
How much of your work is traditional and how much is innovative?: The tradition is that I weave on old looms, using wool and traditional textile patterns such as herringbone. It is often found in old Lithuanian textiles. But I bring all of that into a contemporary textile piece, adapted to modern life.
What inspires your work?: Colour inspires me the most. I am extremely fond of different colours, and I often try to notice different colour combinations in my environment, to observe them in the artworks I see. Sometimes I get very moved by a combination. It is like an enlightenment that gives me an idea, and I then run to make it.
Do you think that the craft of weaving is disappearing in Lithuania?: I thought so about ten years ago, but lately I have seen a certain revival of the craft. People come for consultations, they tell me that they are weaving scarves, shawls or rugs themselves. They interpret their own heritage in all kinds of ways. There is research into historical textiles, and young are becoming interested.

Rasuolė Andriukaitienė is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2007