Hebe Diepenmaat - ArtEZ Alumni Index

My carpets are heavily inspired by Persian tapestries. I doubt that I’ve ever felt a real one, one that is made by Iranian hands. I bet I have only stepped feet on Ikea knock-offs. But they convey a similar feeling. The carpet adds a domestic, excessive and wealthy feeling while still remaining habitable, and a bit shabby sometimes. The carpet is a piece of home. But maybe arriving is not that simple for a newcomer. Especially in a country where taking in people isn’t as normal as once was. So I make carpets, doormats, for everyone who does and does not feel welcome. For everyone who only gets a bed, bath and bread. For everyone who lives in a house without their own key. For everyone who has to sleep without their stuffed animal. I give you my reception, and I hope you feel taken in. Embed yourself in the ground you stand on.

ARTIST BIO

My practice revolves around making carpets. I try to search for the essence of the carpet. My highest goal is to make an audience feel welcome in a new environment. I think the carpet is a crucial piece of the living room because of its decorative nature. Children love to play on it and it keeps the adults' feet warm. The carpet is a piece of isolation. All these aspects keep my practice fertile and I doubt that I will ever find the true essence of the carpet.