Ivančica Turković

Baka i mama

Weaver

©Tomislav Turković

Woven into her family history

Traditional weaving techniques run in Ivančica's family
She still works on her mother's loom
For her, tradition and creativity go hand in hand

The year 1937 is an important one in the history of weaving within Ivančica Turković's family. That year is engraved on a wooden loom that Ivančica inherited from her mother, Marica Bušić, who received the loom that year, when she was just 13. At the time, Marica needed shoes for the winter, which was a big expense for a peasant family. But instead of getting shoes, Marica asked her parents to make a loom for her, thus securing a means by which she could make many more useful and necessary items in the future, a way to equip herself, her family and decorate her house. Her daughter Ivančica works on that very same loom to this day.

Interview

©Tomislav Turković

©Tomislav Turković

How would you describe the process of weaving on a loom?: It takes years to learn and requires great concentration and patience. One has to carefully count the threads, know at which point to change the warp threads to achieve the desired pattern, be able to determine a combination of warp threads before every weft thread is pulled, and so on.
When did you first start weaving?: I learned the technique gradually, I would say naturally, by participating and helping my mother Marica and her cousins from my early childhood. So by the time I could devote myself intensively to weaving, I had already mastered the whole procedure.
What techniques and materials do you use?: I use traditional weaving techniques, including a technique called prebor, in which the decoration is made by inserting a thicker thread into the linen weave. I use cotton thread, wool and other natural materials to make bags, tablecloths and towels.
How do tradition and innovation influence your work?: The weaving technique, based on the warp-weft relationship, creates a horizontal line as the basic shape, with geometric patterns created by combining these lines. The creativity of the weaver is evident through the use of basic elements and their various combinations, rhythms and colours.

Ivančica Turković is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2010 and she started teaching in 2019