Ella Koopman


Born:

1947, Dordrecht, The Netherlands

Training / Education:

  • 1965-1972 Academy of Visual Arts, Rotterdam and Rijks Academy, Amsterdam, Sculpture and Painting Department Holland
  • 1973-1975 University of Amsterdam, Dutch Literature Holland
  • Work Experience:
  • 1993 Co-operation with Louis Féraud
  • 1994 Co-operation with Jean-Charles de Castelbajac and Claude Montana
  • 1994 Co-operation with Frans Molenaar
  • 1998 Winter collection with Louis Féraud, Paris, France
  • 1999 Changing Views, collection of interior textiles for Christian Fischbacher, Switzerland
  • Exhibitions (Solo & Group Shows):
  • 1985 Westfries Museum, Hoorn Holland
  • 1994 Première Vision, Paris, France
  • 1996 Fabric in Form, Gemeentemuseum, The Hague Holland
  • 1997 10 Years of Dutch fashion, Centraal Museum, Utrecht Holland
  • 1997 Gallery Smend, Cologne, Germany
  • 2000 Museum Jan van der Togt, Amstelveen. A tree-person show with Maria Olsthoorn (hats) and Jan Jansen (shoes), made with fabrics by Ella Koopman
  • 2004 Exposition with ornaments for the human body, shawls and hats at Studio Koster, Amsterdam Holland

Awards / Grants:

  • 1988 Award for international interior Design, Milan, in a competition organized by the Linen Institute for Europe and North America

Collections (Private & Museum):

  • 1988 Textile Museum, Tilburg Holland
  • 1990 Dutch Public Building , Breda Holland
  • 1993 Epacar, Antwerp Belgium
  • 1994Private Interior commissions in Oostende, Belgium and Saarbrucken, Germany
  • 1995 Curtains for an new cruise ship of the Holland America Line
  • 1996 Several purchases by a Dutch museum (Gemeentemuseum, The Hague)
  • 1997 Transparent hangings for the glass walls of the VIP restaurants in the Arena Stadium, Amsterdam Holland
  • 1997 Transparent hangings in the Atrium of the CHDR building, Leiden Holland
  • 1997 Hangings in the council chamber in the restaurant of the new city hall in Schiedam Holland
  • 1998 Wall Piece, Regentessenkamer, Maagdenhuis, University of Amsterdam Holland
  • 2000 Transparent textile object (10x4M), VastNed, Rotterdam Holland
  • 2000 Textile object(12x3M), Blijdorp Oceanium, Rotterdam Holland
  • 2000-2004 Several assignments for cruise ships of the Holland America Line
  • 2000-2004 Collaboration with Jan Jansen for designing shawls and shoes

Publications:

  • 1993 Patricia Adan, 'Tinten van Linnen', Residence
  • 1994 Pauline Terreehorst, 'Doorleefde stoffen', De Volkskrant
  • 1995 Ietse Meij, 'Textiel in vorm', Textiel Plus
  • 1996 Edith Schoots, 'De gemartelde lappen van Ella Koopman verwerkt tot mode', NRC-Handelsblad

Artist Statement:

What the application of a specific piece of linen will be only becomes known at the moment when it is finished. Sometimes it is an abstract painting and as such, 'needs only to be itself', yet at other times I immediately see the linen as a piece of clothing, as it will call up a strong characteristic image. My cloth makes you want to touch it. When you see it, your fingers tingle. People who wear my fabrics have never before been so often caressed…