Anneke Kersten: Colours, landscapes and geometric forms

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Dutch artist Anneke Kersten weaves metallics, paper, hemp and linen to create her strikingly colourful artwork. Although now based in Nijmegen in the Netherlands, Anneke took her first weaving classes in Oregon, USA during a two-year sabbatical from 1982 to 1984. Anneke is curretly working as a substitute supervisor for the Nederlands Openluchtmuseum (Open Air Museum) in Arnhem at the weaving project ‘people with disabilities’.

In our interview with Anneke, we talk about her development as a weaver, her love of colour and geometric forms as well as discussing her biggest influences.

Anneke Kersten – Glass Weaving (2009)

Anneke Kersten – Red (2013)

Art weaving

TextileArtist.org: What initially captured your imagination about textile art?

Anneke Kersten: Playing with colour, yarns, materials for my weaving art.

What or who were your early influences and how has your life/upbringing influenced your work?

In the early eighties I took my first weaving classes at a college in Eugene, Oregon. Back in Holland I continued to develop by taking several more weaving and art courses. The biggest influence on my work has been the use of copperwire and making three-dimensional art.

Anneke Kersten – Dynamic (2010) – Detail

What was your route to becoming an artist? (Formal training or another pathway?)

Early eighties – Lane Community College, Eugene, Oregon: Two-year weaving and spinning classes
1987-1995 – Weaving courses at the cultural centre Lindenberg in Nijmegen
1995-1998 – Certificate of weaving education at Textielmuseum in Tilburg
: Several courses on weaving techniques, computer weaving programs and art classes
2014-2015 – Weefnetwerk Weaving Special, education art and teaching

Copper wire and stainless steel

How would you describe your work and where do you think it fits within the sphere of contemporary art?

I am a weaver and I am mostly inspired by colours, landscapes and geometric forms, like the Bauhaus. My speciality is the double weave technique.

Anneke Kersten – Palet Tyvek (2013)

Tell us a bit about your process and what environment you like to work in?

I am either inspired by colour or geometric forms, and also by materials like copper wire and stainless steel. Generally I wrap the yarns to make a composition of the colours first before I put the warp on the loom. I like to work at home in Nijmegen with easy access to all my materials.

Do you use a sketchbook?


I keep a record of all the steps in my process within maps I use for teaching my weaving classes.

Inspiration

What currently inspires you and which other artists do you admire and why?


Nynke van Amersfoort is the artist who inspires me the most. I really like the pictures of Bert de Turck the photographer, and I visit weekly art exhibitions.

Tell us about a place you have fond memories of and why?

I am often inspired by landscapes and one of my favorites is Zabriskie Point in Death Valley USA: I use the colours and the lines in my weavings.

Anneke Kersten – Palet (2012)

Can you recommend a couple of books for textile artists?

Textile is alive! – Ellen Bakker (ISBN 9789081847650)
WEVEN, magazine of Weefnetwerk.nl
Handwoven Interweave (ISSN 0198-8212)
Textiel Plus

Métier Magazine https://www.metier-magazine.nl/

What part of your daily routine could you not live without?

My daily one hour walk in the hills and woods of Nijmegen.

Do you give talks or run workshops or classes? If so where can readers find information about these?

I have exhibitions, I am a weaving teacher and I give lectures, see: www.annekekersten.nl for more information.

For more information on Anneke Kersten please visit her website: www.annekekersten.nl

If you’ve enjoyed this interview with Anneke then please let us know by leaving a comment below.