LECTURE & WORKSHOP: Surface Pattern Design
FEBRUARY 2024

Recently I was asked by Cecile De Mul, teacher at d’Academie Sint-Niklaas (B) to do a lecture for the students of Textile Art.
I talked about my profession as a surface designer for jacquard wovens and wall covering and my link to the industry. How repeats work, how patterns were painted in pré-digital times. But also, what the digital age can do (and already did) for us and how we can make use of new techniques (and old!) to make exceptional bespoke products.
We ended up with a group of nearly 50 students from different art disciplines for the lecture, with about half of them participating in the Pausing Patterns© workshop. The biggest group I ever had, so we improvised a bit and left the ‘Pausing’ behind, just going for the ‘Patterns’.

I am always so surprised and pleased when I see how people's personality and character emerge when they draw patterns. It is something that is deep inside of each of us but rarely comes to the surface. Simply because we don't take the time to do it.

The results were amazingly colorful and diverse! Thank you Cecile for inviting me and a big thank you to everybody who joined us. 

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.