claudy jongstra

ancient light

Claudy Jongstra makes expressive textile works which are characterised by the use of natural materials and a high degree of tactility. She collaborates with nationally and internationally renowned artists, designers and architects, and her work is included in major national and international museum collections. The exhibition provides insights into Claudy Jongstra’s world: her inspirations and motivations, her intuitive and sustainable creative process, and also includes new work.

Wandkleed in de hal van het Fries Museum

Claudy Jongstra: Ancient Light shows Claudy Jongstra’s best works of recent years, and also sheds light on a new direction in her career. In the exhibition the creative process is examined in depth: visitors can imagine themselves in her studio and witness the various stages of creation and production. On display are sketches, proofs and photographs of the creative process that produced the mural for the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the costumes for Star Wars, and the Farm of the World project, one of the main events in the Leeuwarden Capital of Culture 2018 programme. Jongstra also made a major new work for the Ancient Light exhibition, which is inspired by the seasons. With this she has moved away from her current feltwork and exploring a new trajectory with spatial textile works. The exhibition is designed by Irma Boom and Barend Koolhaas and is curated by Jorn Konijn.

sustainable design

In her studio in the Frisian village Spannum, Claudy Jongstra experiments with traditional crafts as carding, spinning and weaving. All steps in the production process occur in-house, from the flock of sheep that she shears for their wool, to manufacturing the felt. For her textile dyeing she uses vegetable dyes extracted from plants such as calendula, camomile and dahlias that she grows in her organic garden. Sustainable production is paramount, and her studio strives to leave the smallest possible footprint, with respect for nature and based on local products and traditional handicrafts. Jongstra's interest in artisanal production, in green materials and sustainable methods, and her attention to the quality of life, biodiversity and small communities is reflected in the exhibition.

claudy jongstra

Claudy Jongstra enjoys national and international renown. Her work can be seen all over the world and is included in several collections, including those of the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. The Fries Museum has the largest collection of Claudy Jongstra’s works. One of her largest works is on permanent display in the Fries Museum’s foyer. It is a monumental and iconic mural that she made specially in 2013 for the Museum’s new premises.

irma boom, barend koolhaas and jorn konijn

Prominent graphic designer Irma Boom is responsible for the exhibition design. Her design of the new corporate identity for the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam introduced her to a wider public. Her work is included in the permanent collections of, among others, MOTI in Breda, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Barend Koolhaas took care of the spatial design. He has worked as a project manager for the Office for Metropolitan Architecture on several international projects, including Waterfront City in Dubai and West Kowloon Cultural District in Hong Kong. Jorn Konijn is the guest curator of the exhibition. He curated several exhibitions for the International Architecture Biennale in São Paulo and for the Hong Kong & Shenzhen International Architecture Biennale.

The exhibition is realised with support from the Fund for Creative Industries and Foundation Woudsend Anno 1816.