Rhea Rituals. Julia S. Riedel.
Meet Julia.
Julia works with vintage and leftover textiles, mainly through patchwork. She started her practice in 2020/2021 with leftover fabrics from her mum’s old upholstery projects, building on her background as a trained tailor and her longtime interest in the field. She brings fabric fragments together, exploring the relationships between them and the new compositions they create. Her recent works include curtains, tablecloths, and different forms of cushions.
Daily Ritual.
I have a few grounding rituals, but I like to keep my structures loose and flexible. One constant is using a calming essential oil before going to bed and again when I enter my studio. The repetition helps me slow down and arrive, while the openness around it allows the work to unfold intuitively.
Female Flow.
I’m in a new phase of my practice since moving to full-time freelance work. With fewer external pressures, I can focus on creating in a way that feels more intuitive and responsive. I try to listen closely to my body and follow its natural rhythms, using cycles to guide my pace.
Female Inspiration.
One artist I’ve explored more deeply over the past year is Isabella Ducrot. Introduced to her by a friend’s gift of her book A Woman’s Life, I am fascinated by her textile works and feel connected to the way she draws on travel and collects antique fabrics. Her work feels intimate and tactile. I just got the new Alphabet magazine featuring one of her works on the cover, which was wonderful to discover.
