Women Behind The Weave

Women Behind the Loom: From Bauhaus to the Bosporus

 "Women Behind the Weave" features 14 woven works of art made by individual women weavers from the Kilim workshop in Usak. Rather than following a predetermined design, these women artisans were encouraged to use their creativity in making their flatweaves. Using surplus yarn from the workshop, each weaver was commissioned to create a unique piece of art covering an area of 1 m².

Historically, weaving has been primarily a craft of women in rural villages. Since they usually work at home, they are paid per piece without any assurance of permanent income or employment. Such a system exposes women weavers to exploitation, leading to a significant decline in their numbers as many seek alternative occupations.

Ahmet Diler, founder and director of Kirkit, wants to revolutionize this standard. Kirkit's workshop employs the weavers on fixed working hours, provides a lunch break, and ensures both retirement benefits and access to medical care - all in a renovated Ottoman building. In addition to the 23 weavers, the expert team includes a fourth-generation master dyer and a production manager who has in-depth knowledge of weaving and materials. Since its establishment in 2021, Kirkit has been inundated with applications for the weaving mill.

Wild Heart Free Soul is committed to this business model, which aims to preserve the millennia-old knowledge of traditional carpet making for future generations.

Following the successful exhibition at Wild Heart Free Soul , the works are now available to purchase. The proceeds will benefit the weavers. 

The unique woven kilims are attached to linen and stretched on stretcher frames, making them easy to hang like a picture frame with a nail.

We do not currently offer shipping for the artworks, they would have to be collected directly from our Wild Heart Free Soul showroom in Berlin.