Mónika Kovács

The metal weaver

• Mónika is inspired by the process of weaving itself
• She works with a zero waste philosophy on her wider-than-average loom
• She would love to design upholstery for furniture

Mónika Kovács's interest in textiles began at high school. Back then, she tried several different directions, but her interest turned to how she could create her own raw material. Inspired by the fact that she could combine different types of fabric in a single structure, she never questioned continuing her studies in the weaving section at university. During her university years in Copenhagen she further expanded her knowledge and today she now works in her own atelier. Mónika, who also teaches, is passionate about unique pairings – for example, she loves to combine the hard, cold surface of metal fibres with soft, warm cotton yarns. As a result of her experiments, she has created a number of unique metal textile works in recent years, which although they behave as fabrics, are – quite rightly – considered works of art. Mónika has presented her work at the Brera Design District in Milan and at the Maison & Objet fair in Paris

Interview

©Balázs Mohai

©Marton VISONTAI

When was the first time you combined different materials?

I used to make jacket fabrics for Hungarian fashion brands. I already experimented here, but the real milestone was an order from a famous Hungarian architect: he ordered a unique piece of my Concrete Textile series for the wall of his office. This work was a real challenge and an honour at the same time.

What is your relationship with craft traditions?

I draw a lot from the traditions of Hungarian handicrafts, i have a lot of respect for handmade fabric. I don’t cut into the tissues, I don’t produce excess. Our grandmothers’ zero waste approach is very much present in my work – even when I use innovative material combinations, such as mixing hard, cold-surfaced metal fibres with soft, warm cotton yarns.

What do you like best about your craft?

My best moment is also the hardest: that I can only see the end result in its entirety when the fabric is ready and removed from the loom. When a fabric is finally finished, after weeks of work, it is always a very uplifting feeling to remove it from the loom.

Who inspires you the most?

My husband, Lőrinc Boros, who is a visual designer and who is a real visual storyteller. He does not directly articulate the underlying content, but formulates his ideas in a timeless and universal way. I also strive to create with such a complex way of seeing!

Mónika Kovács is a master artisan: she began her career in 2007 and she started teaching in 2017

Works

©Mónika Kovács

©Mónika Kovács

©Marton VISONTAI

©Mónika Kovács

Where