Carola van Dyke is a contemporary textile artist, working fulltime from a converted stable block studio in Hastings. Her craft medium is thread, and she creates detailed wall-hangings and sculptures with tiny individual floating stitches. This dramatic, curious approach represents nature in a vulnerable and lace-like manner, with the hanging treads creating movement when walking past, giving the work continuous life and energy.
Natural and organic forms are at the heart of Carola’s work, the beauty found in small details: insects, wings, flowers, plants, roots, their connections and preservation, both in bloom and decayed. She takes inspiration from her Dutch heritage, particularly 17th & 18th century still life paintings, embracing the exuberance, the melodrama, the lush colours; and she analyses these historic sources through a modern lens.
Scaling up is not always the most obvious choice with intricate work, but opulent, delicate beauty is what Carola would like to amaze with.
1. Adornment 2024-25
W 120 cm x H 95 cm x D 22 cm (approximate)
Thread, wire, plaster, wood, leather
£14,500
2. Still Life 2025
W 29 cm x H 40 cm x D 10 cm (approximate)
Thread, wire, plaster, wood, leather
£1,950