Natascha de Wit

"'Stories in Stitches' is my ongoing community project, in which the stories of queer people come together through encounters and imagery. This quilt was created in collaboration with other trans people, drawing on various encounters and events. During these moments, we embroidered together and discussed themes such as (trans)identity and finding a sense of belonging within the queer community. In the quilt, these themes are depicted through the personal stories of the various participants. 
For me, the conversations are an important part of the work; that is why various phrases from these conversations have been incorporated into the quilting stitches. Due to the subtlety of this technique, they can only be found if you take the time and care to look for them.

I am inspired by the parallels between textile work and the role I take on as an artist to create space for dialogue. The ambiguous yet framed definition of both textile art and queer identity also forms a connection between my work and my identity as a non-binary person. From this perspective, I work with contradictions and similarities and seek the beauty in diversity.

This process continues within 'Stories in Stitches' in a subsequent quilt, which will once again travel with me throughout the Netherlands as a meeting point for connection. For this, I am always on the lookout for new locations, people and meeting places. If you are interested in participating in this project, I would love to hear from you."

Contact:
nanatadewit@gmail.com