This colorful work is a collage of very thin layers of silk. Afra Eisma (1993) is drawing with textiles, using stitching to capture the compositions. Certain fantasy creatures frequently show up in her work, such as this figure on wheels in the center of the image.
Using cotton paper as a base, Eisma paints the fabrics she uses. Poetry is an important source of inspiration in her process. Sometimes she writes poetry of herself or others onto the fabrics. She works intuitively and builds up her work layer by layer.
This artisanal way of working allows Eisma to process emotions and gain strength from her pieces. She draws on personal stories, from dramatic events to fleeting crushes. Although its many colors give the work a cheerful appearance, emotional stories and memories can be found in the layers of transparency.
Eisma views emotions in her own unique way. For example, she experiences anger as something positive because it helps her release tension, and she sees vulnerability as strength. Through her art, she hopes to create a space for discussing taboos and inspiring connection and understanding.
Afra Eisma was born in The Hague, where she attended art school before furthering her studies in London. She makes textile installations, sculptures, and ceramics. Her work is included in the collections of the TextielMuseum in Tilburg and the Fries Museum in Leeuwarden. Her ceramics are also very popular in Japan and she exhibits in museums worldwide.