In loving memory of Lizan:

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the sudden passing of the incredibly talented textile designer, Lizan Freijsen.

We were eagerly anticipating her arrival as our resident in New York the third week of February and excited to witness the magic she would bring to our community. Though her physical presence is no longer with us, her artistic spirit will forever linger in the threads of her remarkable work.

Lizan dedicated her studio to creating tactile work based on the process of hand-tufting and inspired by fungi and microbes.

Our thoughts go out to her family and friends during this difficult time.

May her artistic legacy live on, and may we remember Lizan for the beautiful soul she was and the beauty she created.

lizanfreijsen.com
@lizanfreijsen

Lizan Freijsen was fascinated by materials that invite feeling.  Mastering a technique, working manually, and experiencing resistance gives a different perspective on tactility.

Freijsen’s practice was all about the transformation of materiality. Decay and growth are translated by the hand tufting technique into unique carpets for the floor, corner and wall. The designs are based on the rich language of lichens, moisture stains and fungi.

Fungi communicate and transform waste like unusable oil and plastics into a fertile material, this circular process enables new life.

It was Lizan Freijsen’s mission to translate these, to the eye, slow and invisible processes into a sensory experience, hoping to increase the appreciation for micro-organisms, the world of ‘the small’.

Making micro-organisms monumental visualizes the poetry of the usually ‘hidden and unseen’ world of underground networks and plant root systems.

These site-specific installations with drawings, handtufted carpets and wall hangings are the result of valuing cyclical processes, striving for change, aiming for biodiversity and a healthier environment.

After a time when distance was the norm and touch was axed, contact seemed something to avoid. The work of Lizan Freijsen is an ode to the physical world, an invitation to feel and share in kindness.

Presented in partnership with Consulate General of the Netherlands in New York
Learn more about the Dutch Residency