İrem Yazıcı

Baobap

Embroiderer

Threads as a powerful fuel for creativity

İrem works with stumpwork to create 3D embroidery artworks
Her pieces reinterpret traditional techniques through her personal aesthetic
She is inspired by her own microculture of life experiences

İrem Yazıcı specialises in thread painting to create realistic pet portraits which she makes with traditional hand-embroidery techniques and her signature style. She left behind a background in advertising and public relations after stumbling into a supply shop one day, buying some materials and giving embroidery a go. “Even though my decision was spontaneous, I believe it was sparked from a curiosity long-hidden inside me," says İrem who has fond memories of an embroidered artwork in her childhood home. Working with fabric, wire and sometimes foam board, she builds up stumpwork to create landscapes and backgrounds into 3D forms through embroidery. “What I love most about embroidery is how different techniques and materials can yield completely unique textural combinations,” İrem says.

Interview

What are your sources of inspiration?: I am greatly inspired by my materials. Sometimes, just looking at a fabric or a thread sparks an idea in my mind. I also often draw inspiration from my own microculture that is shaped by books, films, art events, people, nature and animals. Themes like fantastic literature, surrealism, mysticism, and forms of microscopic organisms frequently appear in my work.
How do you express tradition and innovation in your work?: The techniques I work with are quite old but have traditionally been applied only to produce specific motifs, such as floral embroideries and different patterns. I combine these time-honoured techniques with my own visual language to give each piece an entirely new dimension and identity.
Do you have any advice for those interested in your craft?: Immerse yourself in as many techniques and textile materials as possible. Spend time in haberdasheries, study the characteristics of different fabrics and experiment freely. Never hesitate to reinterpret traditions through your own creative lens. This fearless combination of technique and originality keeps our craft evolving.
Would you say embroidery is endangered?: Embroidery is not a dying art at all. In fact, I believe it is in the midst of a true renaissance. I am seeing an ever-growing number of artists exploring stitch work. People are eager to express themselves through needle and thread. This revival and enthusiasm make me incredibly happy.

İrem Yazıcı is a master artisan: she began her career in 2014 and she started teaching in 2018