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SUMMARY:FROM CONCEPT TO CARPET
UID:https://instytutpolski.pl/london/2026/11/10/from-concept-to-carpet/
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DTSTAMP:20261114T180000
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DESCRIPTION:Asian civilisations and cultures have long fascinated the artist and
continue to inform her practice. In this project, Aleksandra explores the
symbolic language of Eastern signs, patterns and motifs. She examines their
visual and cultural meaning, and the ways they might be reinterpreted in
contemporary textile and carpet design.
The artist does not treat traditional motifs as closed or purely decorative
forms. For her, they are a starting point for new visual narratives, rooted
in history, spirituality and cultural identity.
In the artist’s words
‘My interest in these forms comes from their rich symbolism and their
connection to history, spirituality and cultural identity. I don’t see
traditional motifs as something fixed – for me, they are the beginning of
new stories,’ says Aleksandra Bonikowska.
The project is co-financed by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage
of the Republic of Poland.
The ‘Young Poland’ programme is one of the most important forms of
state patronage of the arts in Poland. Over its history, it has awarded
grants to 1,945 artists. This year’s selection was exceptionally
difficult, with a record 1,245 applications submitted. The competition
committee appointed by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage
selected 104 recipients, whose projects span literature, visual arts,
music, dance, theatre and film.
About the artist
Aleksandra Bonikowska is a designer and artist. She graduated from the
Władysław Strzemiński Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź, where she now
works as an assistant at the Institute of Design. Since 2022 she has
coordinated the Erasmus+ programme for students of Design, Interior
Architecture and Graphic Design, and supervises the completion of
bachelor’s and master’s projects.
Her practice sits at the intersection of design, craft and visual arts,
with a particular focus on textiles, carpets and innovative interior
objects. She combines digital and traditional techniques, creating a
dialogue between new technologies and older methods of making.
History, cultural heritage and the visual language of tradition lie at the
heart of her work. She often draws on cultural symbols, religious
iconography and folk traditions, which she transforms and reinterprets from
the perspective of contemporary design.
She is active in academic and cultural life, taking part in exhibitions,
workshops and conferences, and works with cultural institutions and
industrial manufacturing partners. She is a recipient of the prestigious
‘Young Poland’ grant from the Minister of Culture and National
Heritage. Her work has been shown in solo and group exhibitions in Poland
and abroad.
Practical information and contact
For more information visit:
https://www.artrabbit.com/events/from-concept-to-carpet-aleksandra-bonikowska
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