Textile designer and recent graduate Heleena Arabatzis was this year’s pick for the Think Positive award for interiors’ textile design. We interviewed her on her creative processes and plans for the future.
What was the main source of inspiration behind your textile designs?
For my graduation collection ‘Ulterior Motif: noble native s/s 2013/14’, the source of inspiration stemmed from a philosophy of design brief we were given earlier in the year whereby we had to select a subject of cultural research and create a series of designs for interiors based on that ideology. The notion of ‘The Noble Savage’; an idealised concept of uncivilised man, who portrays the innate goodness of one who is sheltered from the influences of civilisation, resonated with my design ethos and resistance to amassed culture.
How were the ideas behind the print developed?
It was a culmination of experimental discoveries, mark making and utilising materials already in my possession. Initially, my sketch book is first base for any design development. I choose to purely rely on my primal instincts during the drawing process. This resulted in swift, non-pictorial markings. From there I turned to my beloved material of tissue paper (which I have ample supply of), to dictate both a colour palette and further design elements. Other mediums, like, wax resists and both pigment and screen printing inks came into play as well to create artworks on paper. However, the winning design “atoom (multi)” is completely constructed from layering hand cut tissue paper. A hand cramping process I will admit!
What are your thoughts on the direct-to-fabric digital print technology that Think Positive offers?
My thoughts on the digital printing service offered at Think, have positively exponentially grown over the last 6 months. Admittedly, I was ambivalent about the technology but a class visit to their studio and witnessing the process up close, completely transformed my perception. An education I am grateful for. Think Positive’s boundless efforts in providing local designers access to optimum colour calibrated digital printing finishes on an array of fabrics, keeps us on par, if not a leap ahead of global printed textile trends.
What influenced your decision on fabric choices for this collection?
Harbouring the view that digital is only for synthetic base cloths, I was completely floored with the range of natural fibre base cloths available at Think Positive. As my collection focuses on adaptable applications for interior and lifestyle products, such as soft furnishings and lighting pieces’ it was imperative to adopt a fabric that has a durable soft handle, light to medium weight and was cellulose derived. The hemp/ organic cotton blend and silk poplin both proved to instill such qualities and reproduced the most amazing printed results – looks just like my original artworks!
How would you describe your design style?
Multidisciplinary, intuitive and textural.
What do you enjoy most about the creative process?
Undoubtedly, it is the design developmental process that I feel in peak creative condition. Being sprawled out on the floor with various stations of progress underway and imbued with an ‘on the verge’ sensation – is the absolute threshold of enjoyment for me.
What are your plans for the future?
Spending as much time on the floor as highlighted above…
