Inge Brekelmans // mixed media textile artist
I am a self-taught mixed media artist with a big love for everything that has to do with textiles and yarns. I like to use different techniques like sewing, quilting, patchwork, weaving, felting, Smyrna, hand spool knitting, crochet, embroidery, application, tapestry, dying, painting, and ink marbling. I tend to flow through different techniques that catch my eye or have me fascinated for a while. I love to alternate techniques and teach myself more stitches, patterns, or ways to utilize materials. This large base of needlework and textile techniques helped me in my intuitive approach to making art, especially because I am drawn to combining all sorts of different techniques together in one piece. I love how versatile each technique and material is and how it can come together in a beautiful variety of colors and textures.
I love to work intuitively and draw inspiration from personal experiences, gender identity issues, and psychological growth and development. This usually means I start with what material I have available to me and what I can find around me. Something or material catches my eye and a feeling or vague idea arises. I get a sense of what it could be, but not always what it will say. This process can lead me to subconsciously make meaningful and personal work of which I only realize its meaning near the end of the process. Returning topics for me are: softening my surroundings, looking for a safe feeling, and trying to organize chaos. These stem from the (gender) identity and health issues I have experienced over many years. Expressing myself through needlework, and its ancient artisanship calms me, helps me sort my thoughts and accept my situation.
Other times things start as fun experiments with new materials, stitches, or techniques. I like to be playful in how I make art, so I can be free in my expression regardless of anyone, anything, any purpose or function. Just making art because that’s what my heart tells me to do. I am thoroughly enjoying this freedom I finally gained.
Because of the intuitive approach, I tend to gather all sorts of materials that I might use or see myself using in the future. Do not ask what my studio looks like 😉 It can be wood or plastic pipes found in renovation dumpsters, leftover scrap fabrics, broken bike lights, or other plastic parts found on the street. Whatever catches my eye gets to come home with me. It feels good to clean the streets in one way and feels confronting in another when I see how much stuff is discarded by us people. It makes it extra satisfying when something that’s thrown away by others ends up in my work and turns out to be a vital piece that completes it. By reusing what is already available and limiting buying new products, I feel I can show how beautiful our world is in these little things. And that every and any material can be used to make art and tell a story.