Fanja Bouts' goal was to create a spectacle, and absurd 'map' of the hectic world we live in, drawn with a large dose of socially critical humour. The tapestry incorporates a new double cloth technique, which allows the four colours in the works to be used freely - something that the previous knitting was only able to do to a lesser extent. This creates a surprising image that looks almost woven.
Fanja Bouts graduated from the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in 2023 with a textile indictment of today's consumer society: a 10-metre-long tapestry knitted on the new circular machine. Her goal was to create a spectacle, and absurd 'map' of the hectic world we live in, drawn with a large dose of socially critical humour. As an image of this size is too heavy for the machine's memory, the project was produced in sections. These then had to be joined together seamlessly. The tapestry also incorporates a new double cloth technique, which allows the four colours in the works to be used freely - something that the previous knitting was only able to do to a lesser extent. This creates a surprising image that looks almost woven. The tapestry attracted a lot of attention at the graduation shows and was featured in various publications including Het Parool and Metropolis M. It was also selected for the Best of Graduates exhibition in Galerie Ron Mandos, where it won the audience award.
Fanja Bouts is a visual artist working with installation and illustration. Her work surrounds the contrast between the playful and the absurdly serious, within the patterns of our existence. Through returning characters she creates chaotic scenes of non-linear narratives that fit into each other like puzzle pieces in a newly formed universe. This naturally morphs together into large scale, detailed works, with satirical and philosophical undertones.
Recurring themes in her work are (deep) ecology, representation of the more-than-human, environmental destruction and the consequences of late capitalism. These topics and issues are presented to you with a large dose of dark humour and absurdity. She works with different materials and media, from woven and knitted textiles to print, paintings and large comics.
'Best of Graduates 2023', Ron Mandos, Amsterdam, 28 July - 10 September 2023
