Page 28 - TREASURES 2023

E X P L ORE
Beyond

Legacy

From conceptual art pieces
to bespoke functional

creations, textile artist
Joanna Louca crafts

fascinating fabric narratives
that embrace Cyprus’s rich

legacy of textile making
alongside a passion for

constant experimentation,
in unique numbered pieces

that weave together past,
present, and future.

For the past decade, Joanna has been focusing on larger-
scale work and experimental textiles, creating striking BORN IN NICOSIA, an area renowned for its
pieces including the Iris art panels (left), bespoke throws traditional textile crafts, Joanna Louca grew
(below left), and woven enamelled copper wire and up surrounded by a heritage of creativity and
hand-dyed monofilament commissioned for the AMARA.
craftsmanship. From a very young age, this
heritage became an active part of Joanna’s
life: first, with hours spent assisting her
grandmother, a lacemaker, to craft beautifully
intricate creations, and then as an inspiration
and driving force, leading her to pursue her own
creativity.
After completing her studies in London, Joanna
set off as a freelance designer and consultant,
launching her line of woven accessories in
2001 with a limited edition collection of hand-
woven handbags available through exclusive
boutiques in London and Tokyo, and going on
to present collections in Paris, London and New domestic handlooms, traditional hand dyeing Using time-honoured
York. Following her instincts and trusting in her and a variety of artisanal techniques. Weaving tools and a combination
of traditional and
creative process, she established her Joanna together fine craftsmanship, meticulous
cutting-edge technical
Louca Woven Editions brand in 2012 and began attention to detail and her creative passion for yarns, Joanna Louca
gravitating towards larger-scale work, combining experimentation, she produces unique textiles honours both her
inherent creativity
traditional knowhow with a contemporary and stunning wall pieces, as well as bespoke and the legacy and
aesthetic and conceptual art mentality to push commissions for private residences, commercial traditions of generations
the boundaries of textile design and create spaces, and galleries around the world—each of artisanal weavers that
came before her.
fabulous experimental textiles. numbered woven edition a unique expression
Today, Joanna has returned to her native Cyprus of her incessant quest to cross the boundaries of
and works from her studio in Nicosia, using conventional weaving.

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