NICOLE KIERSZ


passionate about weaving, spinning 
and everyday textile culture

curiosity navigates me
constantly learning


textile design
micro weave
micro spin
scar(f)s

artistic research
tulipa/INDEX
himmelsberge verfilzteträume

textile dramaturgy
we, the flaneuse
weaving concerts
re_member

graduate projects
alles andere als rosa
reduce material waste


About
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ABOUT



Her passion for experimental material studies is expressed through traditional weaving and focusing on the transformation of complex themes into tangible and sensually engaging fabrics, ranging from delicate, small works to large-scale installations.

A central role in her practice is the incorporation of local raw materials and combining traditional production methods with modern tools, such as computer-controlled weaving looms. Particularly, her activist work with local sheep wool reflects her expertise in the manual processing of this material and its forgotten qualities.

Kiersz‘s projects, including artistic research-based works, installations and responses to contemporary sociological issues,merge tradition and innovation, creating textile artworks that aim to unite education,poetic narration and emotion - preferably with a wink.

In addition to her artistic projects, Kiersz works as a trainer for Digital Weaving Norway (TC2) and teaches at the Volkshochschule Hamburg,where she primarily instructs beginners in hand spinning using customised 3D-printed spindles and emphasizes the value of local sheep wool. She also offers guided tours and workshops at the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg, where she shares her passion for textiles and design history with both adult and young audiences. Furthermore she is collaborating in transdisciplinary projects with other designers, artists and researchers.


Whether it's designing textiles for aesthetic purposes or finding technical solutions in woven fabrics, she brings her expertise and creative approach to meet individual needs.
Furthermore, Nicole has valuable experience in teaching, sharing her passion for textiles and nurturing talent through engaging workshops and educational initiatives.

Nicole is currently working and living in Hamburg, Germany.



selected clients & cooperations
Altonaer Museum
Volkshochschule Hamburg
Kunstpioniere PLUS
Design Zentrum Hamburg
K3 - Kampnagel
House of All -  HALL 4 Circularity / Open Lab Circular Textiles
Medskin Solutions Dr. Suwelack
HAW Hamburg

Meghna Bhardwaj  
dancer & researcher
Anna Neubert  
violonist
Buki Akomolafé  
fashion designer
Aiko Tezuka  
fine artist
Annette Guther  
costume designer
Karo Meta Butzert
interior designer
Teresa Hoffmann  
choreographer & dancer
Svenja Keune  
designer & researcher


education
MA design  
2014 - 2017 HAW Hamburg

BA textile design
2010 - 2014 HAW Hamburg

art history & indology
2009 - 2010 University of Hamburg

awards, nominations, grants & important events


2023
volunteering

The Kishkinda Trust, Hampi/Karnataka, India

2022
  • Fabricademy Bootcamp
  • Geneva, Switzerland 
  • Fabricademy 22/23,
  • programm assingment:
  • State of the Art, Biochromes, Biomaterials&
  • Implications/Applications 

2021
lecture textile design
 
for BA-students, HAW Hamburg

2019
  • research work
  • in Chiang Mai Thailand
  • artist in residence
  • Refugium Trafaria, Portugal
artist in residence
Künstlerhäuser Worpswede

  • 2018
  • artist in residence
  • Prisão Paraíso, Trafaria, Portugal   
  • German Design Award - Newcomer 2019
  • nominee
  • stART.up
  • grant, Claussen-Simon-Stiftung Hamburg
  • ‘Ausgezeichnet’ Zentrum für Designforschung Hamburg
  • winner

2017
Justus Brinckmann Förderpreis 2017
 
nominee

2016
research grant
IKAT/eCut, Thailand

2015
Bayerischer Staatspreis für Nachwuchsdesinger 2014

winner

selected exhibitions & events

2025
die NEUEN GEDOK Hamburg

2024
Beletage
Hamburg
Mythos Heimat
 Auditorium Bucerius Kunst Forum, Hamburg
We, the Flaneuse
 K3 Kampnagel Hamburg

2023
  • Im Süden von der Elbe** HyCP Veddel Space, Hamburg
  • Imagine Transparency  Jupiter, Hamburg

2022
Zukunftsstoffe – Innovationen im Textildesign
 Zentrum für Design Hamburg
Textile Studien des Zufalls
Buchhandlung Langenkamp, Lübeck
Feinwerk
 Schloss Fasanerie, Fulda

2020
RE-MEMEBER
- K3 Tanzplan Hamburg

2019
Soft Design Dialog
guest contribution and lecture, Chiang Mai, Thailand
M19
Villa Metzler, Frankfurt am Main
Neue Einheit
Hamburger Architektur Sommer 2019, Raum LinksRechts, Hamburg
alles andere als rosa
Hallo:Festspiele, Kraftwerk Bille, Hamburg
TALENTE 2019
internationale Handwerskmesse 2019, Munich

2017
Messe Kunst und Handwerk, Justus Brinckmann Förderpreis 2017
Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg
alles andere als rosa
Xpon-art gallery, Hamburg

2015
Bayerischer Staatspreis für Nachwuchsdesinger 2014
 
BMW Museum, Munich & Coburger designtage, Coburg