Carin Wessel Letter to an unknown

Wessel has developed a unique expression using the ikat dyeing technique in combination with flat-loom weaving. The technique has roots dating back to the 600s in Indonesia, but it has spread to many parts of the world, also to Scandinavia. Before the dyeing process, parts of the yarn are wrapped tightly with a dye-resistant material to keep those parts from being penetrated by colour. The dyeing can be done in several stages and in different parts of the yarn in order to achieve gradual colour transitions. The method gives Wessel opportunities to create intensity and strength in her colours and patterns. She uses the glossy wool of the spælsau (a Northern European breed of short-tailed sheep), sometimes in combination with other fibres such as silk and nylon. The ikat technique and glossy yarn create strong effects of light in her tapestries.