Katja Stelz
| 1960 | Born in Buir near Cologne |
|---|---|
| 1981–1983 | Trained as a handweaver in Wangen/Allgäu and Siegen, obtained her journeywoman’s certificate |
| 1984–1987 | Established a studio in the “Atelierhof Alexanderstrasse” atelier collective in Bremen |
| 1985–1987 | Studied textile design at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Hannover |
| 1992–1999 | Established an atelier in Osnabrück |
| Since 2002 | Has been working in her new atelier in Palingen |
Blankets and cushions are intimate companions in our culture, having direct and sensuous contact with us every day. Katja Stelz, a handweaver with a lot of passion for detail, skillfully combines traditional weaving techniques with contemporary aesthetics. To create a model she first determines the desired dimensions, selects the appropriate yarns and decides on a particular weaving technique. The textiles she weaves differ in appearance and expressiveness. Some display strong contrasts between intense colors, while others feature a well-balanced harmony of serene and subdued shades and hues. Stelz selects the materials according to the intended use of a textile such as, for example, durable goat hair, linen and wool for a seat cushion. The delicate interplay of the chromatic nuances in her woolen “bond” blankets is underlined by their intricate patterns, whereas her airy “moneypenny” piqué blankets owe their charming visual effect to the fabric’s regular relief structure. Stelz has contributed to elevating handwoven textiles into the rank of perfectly suitable accessories in a modern ambience. Since 2004 she has regularly presented her soft and smooth creations at trade fairs and exhibitions such as the Grassimesse fair in Leipzig.
All photos: Max Reinhard