Yvon Velthuijsen
Oct. 14 and 15, 2023, Yvon Velthuijsen exhibited at the gallery.
Yvon Velthuijsen makes abstract sculptures from homemade felt. She experiences the felting process as sculpting with textiles. The felt is created by rubbing wet warm wool with her hands. From the flat plane, she works through to spatial forms. She combines the wool with different materials such as fiber, wood and iron. In doing so, she looks for contrasts of materials and the fusion of shapes and colors. The work must remain balanced but may also grow.
The passion for textile work forms has been passed down in her family from generation to generation through the female branch. But some craft classes at school are also clear in Yvon’s mind. Several techniques she learned at home and at school she still uses in her work. And over the years, new techniques have been added all the time.
In 2015, for example, she took a textile trip to Kyrgyzstan, where she learned ancient felting techniques. And at the Dutch Felt Academy, she went on to create abstract textile sculptures in an organic form. These images give the viewer room to create their own story.
Working from the flat plane to 3D is a fascinating process for Yvon. Creativity, technique but also allowing coincidence through which forms arise spontaneously give her pleasure in her work. The sculptures invite you to move to view them from all angles.
