“Every piece of textile has been designed, produced, and worn or used otherwise. Therefore, every piece of textile has a story, a particular atmosphere and beauty. Every piece of textile that I use has been eaten, digested and discarded by society.”

After working for many years in the fashion and interior design world as a designer and trendfrorecaster, Femke van Gemert decided to start using textiles differently. Since then, her practice has demonstrated a strong focus on the revaluation, tactility, and beauty of used and discarded textiles. Imperfection and degradation over time, in addition to reuse, are recurring themes in her work. In her wall hangings, tapestries, wall coverings and installations, a search for the organic lines and beauty as found in nature, is always visble in her handmade works.

In commisioned works, clothes/textiles from the client can be integrated in a piece, think about clothes of loved ones, or from a whole community. Femke raises awareness about the effects of textile waste on people and planet through talks and education. She demonstrates ways to reuse and recycle textiles in educational workshops and special tailored projects.

The press about Femke’s work

Femke’s work has been shown on several inter(national) exhibitions.

Mia Karlova Galerie, several exhbitions and Pan Amsterdam, 2021-now, Amsterdam The Netherlands

PAN Amsterdam by Mia Karlova Galerie, 2021 -now, the Netherlands

Waste is Value, Henderson Land, curated By Rosanna Orlandi, 2021, Hong Kong

La Manufacture, A Labour of Love, Gare Saint Sauveur, 2020 Lille, France

Artist Residency + community project, Casa Wabi, 2019 Puerto Escondido Oaxaca, Mexico

Ro Plastic Prize Exhibition, Galleria Rossana Orlandi, 2019 + 2020, Milan, Italy

DoornBurgh buitenplaats voor kunst en wetenschap, 2018/2019/2020, Maarssen, the Netherlands

Gedenkplaats Fort Nigtevecht, 2018 Abcoude, the Netherlands

Nature Meets Art & Design, Gallery Post Erasmuslaan 5, 2018 Utrecht, the Netherlands

Springhouse Amsterdam, artist residency + community project, 2017/18, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Inspiratiehuis Gouda, solo exhibition Sept-October 2015, the Netherlands

Enlightened Design, London Design week 2016, London, Great Britain

Made, Mercado de Arte Design, August 2015, São Paulo, Brazil

Galerie Oode, 2014-2019, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Weverijmuseum Geldrop, January-March 2014, solo-exhibition, the Netherlands Salon Dantel, Istanbul Design Week, 2014, Turkey

Tuttobene, Meet & Matter expo, 2014, Milan, Italy

Kunstdagen Goedereede, 2014, the Netherlands

Design District, 2013, Zaandam, the Netherlands

Galerie Lis’art, 2013-heden, Heusden, the Netherlands

Salon Kant, Oude Kerk Amsterdam, 2013, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Salon Dashilar, Beijing Design Week, 2013, China

Hoornse Kunst en Cultuurdagen;

Textielexpositie Noorderkerk, 2012, 2013, Hoorn, the Netherlands

Wintersalon, Museum Geelvinck/ Hinlopen huis, 2012, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Meesterlijk, Design & Ambacht, 2011, Amsterdam, the Netherlands