On Saturday 16 June 2018 the first Keep an Eye Textile & Fashion Award was granted to Joana Schneider (Germany, 1990).
The jury consisting of Stéphanie Bächler, Lotte Mostert, Rianne Zijderveld and David Laport has selected Joana's work because of its distinctive character, and the conviction of Joana's ability to make a big leap in her career. The jury named Joana's textile installation radical and was impressed by the combination of the sustainable use of materials and her strong aesthetic power of expression.
The award, consisting of a prize of €10.000,- is initiated by the Keep an Eye Foundation in order to support a fourth year student of the Textile and Fashion department of the KABK in realising their ambition to improve their skills after graduation by means of a further study (Master degree, a summer course, or another textile/fashion training at an international institution).
Joana Schneider
PLUIS, 2018
“Pluis netting is used by fishermen to protect their net from sharp stones and friction on the bottom of the sea.
It reminds me of a festive and luxurious tapestry, due to its richness in texture technique and the royal blue, yet I am repulsed by the idea of this non-biodegradable material consciously being thrown into the sea in order to maintain our fishing industry. The basis of my work, rope and netting, is made from waste material from the ‘netmaker’ industry. It carries the traces of its life in the sea. But working around the idea of the pluis I add a material that provides a sense of beauty and fragility whilst giving the viewer a feeling of repulsion. Hence, I’m working with the color poison green and red in my yarns sponsored by Morssinkhof Rymoplast, a Dutch company that produces yarns made from post consumer plastics. I am proud to say that my work is sustainable, while playing with a range of exceptional materials.”