July 24, 2013

Interview FEMKE VAN GEMERT



She has worked close with Lidewij Edelkoort and has been a part of the extended family of artists of SALON/ for almost two years. Femke van Gemert revalidates lace like no one else. Green, sustainable, serious and decorative are just a few of the comments on her black and white installation at the Oude Kerk.

After her time at the Hogeschool voor de Kunsten Utrecht (HKU), she graduated in 1993, she took her belongings and left for Paris. Following her dream of becoming an artist, she started developing prints for the world-renowned trend forecaster Lidewij Edelkoort. A prestigious job for a graduate. She stayed for four months researching inspirational images and making prints to eventually becoming a trend forecaster at the Bijenkorf for twelve years. Nowadays she focuses on sight specific projects and has years of experience as an art teacher.

What did you make for SALON/KANT?
From old lace I have made an installation. It is all used and lived and that makes it much more interesting for me to use. I have a lot of old pieces from the Amsterdam Museum, which were used in the repair studio they altered and fixed the costumes in. The wee bits were sometimes broken, white or beige. I washed it first and hanged it outside to dry. Looking from a distance to the clothesline I got the inspiration. For me it was like a line of stories. As the parts came from different costumes they represented the outfits of a variety of characters. Like a bride, a catholic and there was also some underwear.

What else did you see?
I also saw different associations. White is lovely and virgin, whereas black is sex and thrilling. Because of these associations I choose to make two colours. Black and white. I let it remain in the purest form. I just died in black and white and hanged it in a wooden frame for people to have their own association experience with.


By Martino Bidotti

NOTE:

Femke van Gemert’ work 'Dreaming' is exhibited at Oude Kerk, Oudekerksplein 23.