
I have studied textile art and have graduated from HV skola in Sweden, where I majored in weaving and embroidery. My work is very sculptural and I like to work with the body. Coming to study in Kyoto was a great experience for me. I met a lot of lovely people in the beautiful surroundings. It was the first time I tried Kasuri techniques, and you have to put a lot of love and time in it.

My work is based on my travel around Japan. How the nature is very close, even in the big cities. I loved being surrounded by the mountains all the time.
I found it very interesting how Japanese art history differs from the western one. How a picture is built up and that the empty spaces are just as important as the motif.
I studied at Kawashima Textile School for two months. I fell in love with Kyoto and I wanted to bring a piece of the city back home in my piece. I have used different Kasuri techniques that I learned at the school. The shapes of the woven pieces are inspired by obi belts. I think they are a piece of art on their own.
Katja Beckman (Sweden)
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Katja was an exchange student from HV Skola (Sweden) and studied in the Foundation Kasuri Course and Applied Kasuri Course I to III in autumn 2013. You can see and read more about her stay in Japan on her blog: Katja Beckman