WORKSHOP: Chinoiserie Wallpaper
SEPTEMBER 2023

Last weekend was Heritage Weekend and I was invited by Erfgoedcel Brugge (Heritage Bruges) to give a workshop related to the Chinoiserie Wallpaper you see pictured here.

This Chinoiserie wallpaper was discovered in a 18th century house in the center of Bruges (B). Now known as Hof Sebrechts, named after its last private owner professor-doctor J. Sebrechts (1885-1948) who ran a clininc there, the foundations and its gardens do actually date back to the 15th century as it was part of a convent.

To give people a better understanding how these first wallpapers were made I decided to let them 'redo' a figure selected from the design. The 18th century production process was a combination of templates (stencil) and block printing. I digitalised the figure, made it up in layers (so people can imagine how it is build up) and then had a bespoke woodblock made in India.
Since we had little time, we did 1 template (which they had to cut out by hand!) and paint the other colors. Then final, the black lines were printed with the block, so you see the design come to life.

Besides the Chinoiserie wallpaper some amazing handpainted walls (oil on canvas) and local made imitation gold leather are/were decorating this property. Sadly the latter have already been removed by the current owners.

The workshop was a real succes and the +-30 participants all went home with a beautiful piece of wallpaper. Because of this succes and the big demand, I will schedule a more extensive Chinoiserie workshop in my studio in fall. Follow my socials to stay informed or drop me an e-mail and I’ll add you to my mailing list!

DESIGN: (RE)MASTERED LAUNCHES WITH PANORAMIC WALLPAPER
JULY 2023

About a year ago Margot contacted Musea Brugge to introduce her new project called (Re)Mastered. This project transforms historic artwork into new designs, adapting it to enrich contemporary living spaces.

“ It is much more than a copy-paste project. With respect for the original artwork and its master I kind of rethink the artwork, making it more accesible to a 21 century audience. I stay true to color and subject, but the whole layout is redrawn, making it a complete new work. ”

For Musea Brugge Margot designed a panoramic wallpaper of 4 x 3 meter. It is based on the painting ‘The Last Judgement’ by Jheronimus Bosch. The result is now selling at Musea Brugge. Read more on the design proces here (Dutch only).

The aim of (Re)Mastered is to draw attention to the institution that cares for the artwork and the funds that are needed to preserve it, as well as introducing art to a new public. It is also a way to show details the viewer may have overlooked, or draw attention to lesser known works in a collection.
For art lovers it is a great way to live surrounded by your favourite art that is effortless blending into your contemporary interior, and to donate to keep the art heritage vivid for generations to come.

For more information on this project visit the blog.
Contact margot@atelierbilliet.be if you are interested in collaborating.

PRESS: Inspiration Guide Heritage Damme
JULY 2023

A nice publication on the volunteerwork and design project Margot did for NEST DAMME.

The project comes to an end so this summer is the last time you can see the reconstruction of the gild leather wallcovering during the free expo ‘7 STEMMEN’ (7 voices).

More information here.  

DESIGN: UPCYCLING RELIGIOUS TEXTILE
JUNE 2023

Heritage Cel Bruges and the Central Churh Board Emmaüs launched an open call for craftspeople to upcycle low value religious textile into new objects and commanded a new wall tapestry for the Sint-Michiels church. Atelier Billiet helped with the design process for the tapestery which was then constructed and embroidered in de studio of Embroidery Belle under supervision of master embroiderer Isabelle De Groote.

The design:
The chasubes were used as a backdrop to apply the embroidered religious symbols we found on the other pieces available.
Since the colors were so bright and vivid, we agreed to bring balans by working in a fixed color scheme from dark purple on the botom, to bright whites on top. Symbolising the uplifting towards heaven.
The layout of the symbols was kept rather geometric, using decorated borders as supporting lines.

The making:
In total there are 6 wall hangings, each with the same colorscheme but differently finished. The group of volunteers working with Mrs. De Groote had inpunt in how they finished the applications, making it a personal and yet communal work of art.
The 6 wallhangings were lined for hanging by Atelier Grossé. One of the oldest embroidery studio's in Bruges.

The results can be seen in a guided visit to the church on friday june 16, 2023. The other art and crafts objects designed and produced by the Bruges makers are exhibited a second time during Open Monument Day September 2023 at Sashuis Brugge.