Simone Post Elevates Residual Materials into Exquisite Works of Functional Art.

Simone Post’s vivid imagination has spun an impressive collection of upcycled textile products and furniture bound to be a showstopper and conversation starter for any onlookers and admirers. The Rotterdam-based multi-disciplinary artist thrives through exploring various types of waste, seeking their potential to be relished and upcycled into another life. In her latest collection of textile pieces, Simone transforms rejected fabric scraps from Dutch manufacturer Vlisco into an ensemble of celebrity portraits, a bespoke dresser, and planet-like seats.

Within the Vlisco Universe, the collective of wonders begins with the aptly named Star Portraits —a series of handmade one-of-a-kind fabric portraits. These psychedelic faces somewhat remind me of Giuseppe Arcimboldo’s surreal vegetable and fruit portraits with the colour-blocking fluid lines established by the twists and weave of the fabric. Like a line drawing where it is difficult to locate a start of finishes, the woven fabric is shaped into tight waves to create various facial expressions.

Sangmin Oh’s Knitted Lights Bring Deeper Appreciation for the Natural World’s Extraordinary Beauty.

Sangmin Oh's Knitted Lights combine light and textiles to create magical stories. These sophisticated glow-in-the-dark knitted 3D shapes are reminiscent of glowing coral reefs...

Despite a mixture of different fabrics, sound colour coordination is implemented on each caricature. Where one face is mostly dominated by purple, swirls of white and complimentary yellow wriggle around the hairline and facial hair. The implied motion of the textile piece opens the opportunity for an animated look and touches of features that make each feature rather endearing. These are seen in the blue portrait where freckles are swimming in the face made of deep ocean blue, otherwise a ring of rosy circles and eyes looking downwards for a blushing façade.

Similar faces are also given an additional home on the surface of a purple dresser, which Simone has repurposed. The recycled fabric softens the stiff exterior of a wooden dresser with its soft texture. Simone sees the bespoke characters that float and protect the cupboard as “like gatekeepers, they guard the cabinet doors and protect the contents”. The entire composition feels almost like a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the language of fashion.

Textile Ruins by Sergio Roger.

In his “Textile Ruins” series, Sergio Roger interprets classical sculptures by replacing stone or marble with delicate pieces of antique linen. Through means of material disruption...

In the Post Planet series, Simone introduces a three-dimensional character to her Vlisco recycled carpets narrative. Though less vibrant than their portrait cousins, Post Planets feature three different colour treatments: Mint, Jupiter, and Soil. Each spherical seating is grounded with a base made of recycled mattress foam from RetourMatrass, garnished with recycled textiles that appear as pixelated planets. Each base colour still stands out; however, specks of complimentary colour peak through, creating a glitching in orbit effect.

Ever arresting and hypnotic even, Simone’s curious exploration of upcycling wastes results in whimsical creations that advocate her strong belief in sustainability. With more and more various forms of upcycling in fabric, Simone’s collection of work sure stands out and will be one to remember. As the classic adage goes, one’s trash is another’s treasure, these pieces made from excess materials embed a level of optimism and curiosity.

Furniture Object or Functional Sculpture: ROPE 6M by Atelier Ief Spincemaille.

Belgian visual artist Atelier Ief Spincemaille has scaled up one of the world’s oldest inventions into a versatile, limited-edition multi-functional object.

[Images courtesy of Simone Post.]