​Elsje Janssen
Memory Textiles
Unique abstract textile compositions
created with old textiles and clothes
Passion for textiles
Art and the need for beauty play an essential role in my life and textiles are the common thread in it. My diverse museum experience, the artworks and collections I encountered, the travels I made, my various textile training, and the creative environment I grew up in have shaped me and fueled my creativity.
I am fascinated by the beauty of fabrics – texture, colors, design – and the richness of textile samples and remnants. But also by their history and the story behind a textile object. This inspires me to create new textile forms and objects.
​
Through the loss of loved ones in my immediate surroundings, I began creating memory textiles. The fabric, such as a favorite garment of a deceased person, holds within it the memory but gains a second life: it becomes an object of comfort, an object of love, a memory textile to be cherished.
It feels nice when my head and hands work together, more so when I can create with my heart. This is what I focus on in my art and in what I make for others.
Through upcycling my creations breathe new life into a unique story and they are a gift of beauty and comfort.
I am also active as a consultant for the preservation, management, and presentation of museums, public cultural heritage, and private collections.
For more information, please see my Professional Background