From paper to shop window – the story behind my latest work
Kunstroute De Wijk In, Wittevrouwen Utrecht May 9 t/m June 26
From 9 May, my window in Utrecht will be transformed into a small gallery. During the Wittevrouwen Art Route, “De wijk in, 2025”, (organized by Zimihc theatre in Wittevrouwen) an art route where makers exhibit their work in windows and shop windows – I will be showing my latest tapestry and print to passers-by. And I would like to take you behind the scenes: how this work began, grew and eventually ended up in my window in large format.
Everything starts with black paper
Every design I make starts with something very simple: black paper and scissors. Why black? Because colour doesn’t matter at all – and I can fully focus on form and composition. I cut intuitively, let myself be guided by what feels good and keep moving until the balance is right for me. For the art route, de wijk in, Wittevrouwen we were asked to be inspired by a work from the collection of the Centraal Museum in Utrecht. While browsing through the digital collection, I noticed a number of vintage vases, of which the vase by Luigi de Lerma stood out because of its organic shape, texture and colour. Then I started cutting. I also kept, next to the vase shape, residual shapes that remained. These rest materials are used in the abstract design as well. For me, there is something soothing in that manual process. The cutting is never perfect, and that is precisely what gives the work character. It makes it playful, human – and a little exciting.
Then comes the colour
After cutting, I scan the shapes and start building digitally: I add colour, experiment with transparency (the colours that overlap create a new colour) and textures. This gives the design depth and energy, while retaining its handmade look. For this work, I chose a limited colour palette, ochre yellow and pink, a palette that for me represents warmth and softness, fitting this vase shape and its original colour.
From small to large: 59x126 cm wall hanging
The result is printed on recyclable polyester as a large wall hanging – specially made for the window during the Art Route. The work changes with the daylight, lives with its surroundings, and hopefully invites you to stand still for a moment. And that is exactly what I hope my work does: bring a moment of wonder, in the middle of the city.
In addition to the wall hanging, there is also an A4 Artprint, which is slightly different. Even more abstract in shape, printed on beautiful sturdy Gesso paper. This paper has a beautiful texture and the colours are beautifully warm and matte.
Also for your wall
Can't come to Utrecht? No problem. This new wall hanging and matching art print are now also available via my Etsy shop. There is a QR code in the window that allows passers-by to shop directly – and you can do that here too:
👉 tapestry: https://sabethelbersestudio.etsy.com/nl/listing/4302087057
Artprint: https://sabethelbersestudio.etsy.com/nl/listing/4302426279
Check out the new wall hanging and artprint in my Etsy shop
text by pictures: my window as shop window, my tapestry made for the exhibition, my art print for the exhibition, the vintage vase by Luigi de Lerma, from the collection of Centraal Museum as inspiration, the paper cuts and woonden hangers on display.