Paintings and sculptures of wool

Paintings and sculptures of wool in Kasteel Geldrop

From Sunday 7 January to Sunday 25 February, visual artist Esther Valk (1963) exhibits her works in Kasteel Geldrop. Although she only discovered her passion for felting 12 years ago, this passionate artist has since developed further in this art form. Her works offer the viewer material (felt) for reflection, as each artwork contains a profound story.

After her fashion education and the Academy of Industrial Design, Valk practiced various art forms, including painting, sculpting and textile processing until she discovered the art of felting. Felting is a technique in which different types of wool fibers are layered on top of each other, and then treated with water, soap and friction. This treatment causes the scales of the wool to bond firmly together and form felt. Valk often dyes the wool herself with plant-based dyes, a process that requires a lot of expertise, time and attention.

She draws her inspiration from nature, world events and personal experiences. For this she collects photos, articles and materials that stimulate her imagination. In part of her works, her fascination for the Nordic medieval mythological writings about the gods and the development of the universe plays in the background. Central to this is the tree of life Yggdrasil, whose roots symbolize growth, development, fertility, immortality and healing. She incorporates these themes in various ways in her felt paintings and sculptures. In addition to her own work, Valk also takes on assignments where she seeks a balance between the wishes of the client and her artistic freedom to fully utilize her talents

She dedicates this exhibition to her partner, who died suddenly in March 2022 during the completion of her work Yggdrasil. The official opening is Sunday 7 January at 2.30 pm. The exhibition is free of charge and runs until 25 February. The opening hours are on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday between 2 pm and 5 pm. The exhibition halls of Kasteel Geldrop are located on the first floor and are wheelchair accessible. For more information, visit www.esthervalkdesign.nl