Building fictional characters through a textile-based workshop

Facilitated by Afra Eisma

05 July, Wednesday

11: 00 – 4:00 pm 

KNMA Saket

Part of Very Small Feelings exhibition

This workshop, in conjunction to the Very Small Feelings (VSF) exhibition, will primarily explore the medium of textile and its versatility. Starting with a walkthrough of the show to activate one’s imagination, the workshop will bring participants together to collectively build a large soft sculpture based on fictional characters – unique and peculiar, containing a multitude of faces, bellies and even several limbs. Bringing to life an imagined character through amplified voices, the workshop will explore an interactive and participatory group dynamic. Interested and committed participants (16+) are expected to attend the entire duration of the workshop. Prior handling of textiles is not required. Art material and refreshments will be provided. The onsite workshop with limited seats will be held at KNMA Saket.

Using craft techniques in novel ways, Afra Eisma explores and manifests personal stories through immersive and intimate installations made of textiles, sculptures, ceramics, papier-maché and sound. Afra Eisma’s work focuses on emotions as an inner source of strength. What’s important to her is to seek ways in which trauma can be a tool of power and of change. The seemingly bright and colourful installations are a strategy to look at sensitive issues, or to look at darker corners of personal experiences and through seduction and accessibility move the viewer to engage with the subjects at play. Recently Eisma’s  focuses on creating immersive installations in which the viewer has an active role. The sanctuary becomes an extension of the body. Generosity as a form of resistance. 

After Eisma’s first institutional solo exhibition in 1646 (the Hague, NL) she was invited to make a commissioned installation for Kunstinstuut Melly in Rotterdam. Ever since, Eisma has been invited to international institutes and projects such as Centro Internacional das Artes José de Guimarães (PT), Fundació Joan Miró (ES), the Dhaka Art Summit 2023 (BD), Textile Museum Tilburg (NL), Fries Museum (NL) and has upcoming exhibitions at The Tetley Leeds (UK) and Wälnö Aaltosen Museo, Finland.