Women Behind The Weave

Women behind the loom: From the Bauhaus to the Bosphorus

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

Historically, weaving is primarily a craft of women in rural villages. Because they typically work at home, they are paid on a per-piece basis with no guarantee of permanent income or employment. Such a system exposes weavers to exploitation, leading to a significant decline in their numbers as many of them seek alternative professions.

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

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.

After the successful exhibition at Wild Heart Free Soul, the works are now available for purchase. The proceeds benefit the weavers.

The woven unique kilim pieces are attached to linen and stretched on stretcher frames and can therefore be easily hung like a picture frame with a nail.

We currently do not offer shipping for the works of art; they would have to be picked up directly from our Wild Heart Free Soul showroom in Berlin.