filzfun: Issue 59 summer 2018

Felt Art is versatile! Many possible facets are shown for example during the members‘ exhibit of the Filz-Netzwerk in the filzfun summer issue. 36 artists have interpreted the motto »Gehalten & getragen (Carried & Worn)« most differently and individually. One of them is Gabriele Wehrmeyer, who masterly combines wool not only with natural but also with contrasting industrially-made materials like steel or concrete. Her works have been successfully shown in Uruguay and in the Netherlands. In a detailed portrait the regional conservationist and felt artists tells us about her love for nature and her creative work. Gabi Bauer combines textile art and the felting craft: In her studio in Oettingen, Bavaria she manufactures high-quality felt slippers, cushions and other objects for daily use. She also is well-known for her artistic actions and event.

The lion that is serenely looking from the cover of the filzfun summer issue is a sculpture made by Kiyoshi Mino, an American master of needle-felting who is internationally sought-after as a teacher and instructor. In a portrait he tells us about his artistic development and reveals some of his tricks in a detailed step-for-step instructions for the making of a true-to-life sparrow.
One of the pioneers of the European felting scene is Mari Nagy from Hungary, who decisively contributed to the re-discovery of the felting craft over the last decades together with her lifelong partner István Vidák. At the occasion of her 70th birthday we look back on her life dedicated to felt.
The felting school Oberrot plays a crucial role regarding the high quality of the craft and its artistic implementations. For ten years the school has been offering a two- or three-year long advanced training called »Fit in Filz«. Throughout the year they also host renowned instructors – amongst others