Beautiful weaving exhibited at Bellhaus
The opening of Interwoven - Bellhaus ? Karakulia – with bespoke carpet designs created by E-Tunga Studios, Marcii Magson, Michael Chandler, and Tina Basson – takes place at the Bellhaus Atelier & Gallery on Thursday at 18:00.The collection is a collaboration between Bellhaus Atelier and Karakulia Weavers, featuring four bespoke carpet designs by four artists and woven by the well-established Karakulia Weavers located in Swakopmund.
Invited to submit their designs which were then meticulously produced to launch a new line of Karakulia carpets, Marcii Magson, Michael Chandler, E-Tunga Studios, and Tina Basson each put forward vastly different creative expressions. This resulted in an intriguing and unexpected display that ranges from abstract to a modern take on traditional Oshiwambo handcraft design to pastel proportions and even an enormous serpent.
What makes this project particularly interesting is the fact that none of the artists - all well established in their various mediums - have produced designs for weaving before!
Creating a novel approach to the age-old karakul carpet weaving trade, which is nothing short of world-class craftsmanship, was conceptualized by the co-founder of Bellhaus Atelier and Galerie, Andrea Behnsen.
In awe of the weaver’s craftsmanship and her passion for product development as well as being equipped with a network of artists, she initiated the Bellhaus ? Karakulia project.
Product development and value addition initiatives between art and trade lie at the heart of the Bellhaus’ vision and make this initiative more of a product launch than an exhibition - the first of many to follow.
The story of Moses Helao, who started as a cleaner for Karakulia Weavers and worked himself up to becoming the proud owner and manager of the business, is well documented. What is less known is the fact that this weaver is dependent on the tourism market and with the disruption in the travel industry brought about by Covid, the business took immense strain.
However, once a year Helao drives to the South of Namibia to buy 50 tons of wool from the farmers in the district. His operation runs like clockwork. Every single part of the process is done by hand. The weavers can produce absolutely any design that they are presented with.
“We aimed to identify crafters with exceptional skill but who are challenged to break into the current market. We want to support them with contemporary design and product development that will appeal to a wider, international audience. At the same time, we would like to give artists the opportunity to explore different mediums from what they are used to and further discover their own potential,” Behnsen shared.
For more info, contact the gallery at [email protected] or visit www.BELLHAUS.art .
The gallery is located at the Grüner Kranz at 18 Bell Street in the Southern Industrial area.
The collection can be viewed until 23 July.