Iben Høj — Sh(r)ine
ABOUT THE PROJECT:
Sh(r)ine by Iben Høj explores notions of fragility and substance through a series of delicate textile containers. Combining hand and machine made processes, the series presents a mix of natural and synthetic materials – knitted and woven together without extraneous additions or subtractions. The resulting forms combine internal and external surfaces that explore the functional ability of the container to hold objects – paradoxically translated through light, weft-like structures that intertwine transparencies and monochromatic shifts in colour as the user interacts with each formation.
Material and dimensions:
Polyester monofilament, cotton, viscose, bamboo, polyamide, silk.
45 x 45 x 20 cm each.
Year:
2022
PHOTOGRAPHY BY:
Anders Sune Berg
VIDEOGRAPHY BY:
Benjamin Lund
LONG DESCRIPTION:
Presenting a series of subtly intimate objects that highlight both the beauty of their construction and the functional ability to hold and interact with everyday objects, Sh(r)ine continues textile designer Iben Høj’s exploration into contemporary expressions of the traditional craft of knitting. Appearing like micro cosmos unto themselves, each object mixes together natural fibres enveloped in monofilament and a sense of luminosity – the resulting forms reminiscent of sea creatures or exploded stars. Sketching directly into the material, Høj allows the process of creation to dictate the final shape through a rhythmic dance between hand and machine. Featuring an inlay technique, Høj has utilised drop stitch to help guide and shape each container, adding small folds and inlets that hint towards its function. The combination of techniques, materials and colours allows the series to explore notions of complexity and simplification, space and surface, contemporary and tradition, craftsmanship and the machine – inviting interaction and exploration with the audience as they unfold each layer.
DESIGNER BIO:
Iben Høj
Textile Designer and Artist, born 1970.
From her studio wedged between the forest and the sea in Kerteminde on the Danish island of Fyn, textile designer Iben Høj explores and pushes the limits of knitting techniques through a hands-on process of trial and error. From a starting point of wearable textiles, her body of work has grown in scale and ambition, with small and large artistic expressions that delve into textiles relationship with people, space and light. Viewing her practice within a long lineage of Danish textile traditions, her approach is deliberately slow and methodical – striving to add another chapter to the story of textiles that can be passed on to the next generation. Acting as the link between her hand-driven knitting machines, the thread and the final textile, her work constantly seeks new yarn blends and shape experiments – resulting in objects that move between strength and fragility, function and expression. Celebrating yet challenging textiles connection with femininity, her work appears light and delicate, yet through rigorous technique and process retains a strength and functionality that invites interaction and everyday use.
EDUCATION:
1997: BA (Hons), Fashion Textiles Design with Business Studies, University of Brighton, U.K.
GRANTS AND HONOURS:
2022: Working Grant, Danish Arts Foundation, Denmark.
2021: Working Grant, Denmark’s Nationalbanks Jubilæumsfond of 1968, Denmark.
2020: Special Award for Stitches beyond Borders, Danish Arts Foundation, Denmark.
2019: Project Grant, Danish Arts Foundation, Denmark.
2018: Project Grant, Denmark’s Nationalbanks Jubilæumsfond of 1968, Denmark.
2017: Working Grant, Denmark’s Nationalbanks Jubilæumsfond of 1968, Denmark.
2015: Nominee, Craftsman of the Year, Design Awards, Denmark.
2013: Working Grant, Danish Arts Foundation, Denmark.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS:
2021: Open & Closed, The Future Perfect, New York, USA.
2021: Oceanista – Fashion & the Sea, The Maritime Museum of Denmark, Elsinore, Denmark.
2021: Trapholt Collect, Trapholt, Kolding, Denmark.
2020: Stitches beyond Borders, Trapholt, Kolding, Denmark.
2019: Crafted Matter, Cheongju Craft Biennale, Cheongju, South Korea.
2018: Mindcraft 18, Salone del Mobile, Milan, Italy.
2017: CHROMA, Toldboden, Kerteminde, Denmark.
2017: Is this Knit, Enigma, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2017: Ultimate Impact, The Roundtower, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2016: The Spring Exhibition, Kunsthal Charlottenborg, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2015: The Biennale for Craft & Design, Carlsberg, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2014: Fashion & Textile, Designmuseum Danmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2014: Visionary Knitwear, Fashion & Textile Museum, London, U.K.
2011: Unravel – Knitwear in Fashion, MoMu, Antwerp, Belgium.
2009: Krakas Dresses – nearly nude, Designmuseum Danmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Selected Collections:
2021: Trapholt / Ny Carlsbergfondet, Kolding, Denmark.
2020: Trapholt – Stitches beyond Borders, Kolding, Denmark.
2009: Designmuseum Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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