about
Bettina Matzkuhn explores themes of ecology, weather, and geography in her fibre work. Emphasizing hand embroidery, she values the versatile language of textiles. Matzkuhn holds a BFA and an MA from Simon Fraser University, and is the recipient of Canada Council and British Columbia Arts Council Grants. She has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions across Canada, as well as internationally. Her work is found in national public collections such as the Surrey Art Gallery, Cambridge Art Galleries and the Weldon Map Library at Western University. She lives and works in Vancouver, British Columbia.
artist statement
Fibre interests me as a visual language. Textiles have a long history of incorporating social and personal stories. I see my work as a part of this continuum. The versatile threads and textiles that I use form a vocabulary I have cultivated since childhood. I use it to speak of contemporary issues.
My work is about places I have encountered in person, and how the human presence –including mine– affects them. I grew up around sailboats on BC’s coast, and hike in many corners of Canada, which translates into a love of charts, maps, symbols, weather and landscape. My interest in local ecologies represents an ongoing learning and increasing alarm as the climate crisis intensifies.
