Kitty van der Mijll Dekker: The Weaver Who Wove Her Way into History

Imagine a world where the art of weaving is revolutionized by a visionary artist who combines traditional techniques with modern design. Kitty van der Mijll Dekker, a Dutch textile artist, did just that in the early to mid-20th century. Born in 1908 in Indonesia, then part of the Dutch East Indies, she moved to the Netherlands, where she became a pivotal figure in the world of textile design. Her journey began at the Bauhaus, the legendary German art school, where she studied under the tutelage of renowned artists like Gunta Stölzl and Wassily Kandinsky. This was during the 1920s, a time when the Bauhaus was at the forefront of modernist design, and Kitty was right in the thick of it, learning and innovating.

Kitty's work was characterized by her ability to blend the functional with the aesthetic, creating textiles that were not only beautiful but also practical. Her designs often featured bold geometric patterns and vibrant colors, reflecting the Bauhaus philosophy of uniting art and industry. After her time at the Bauhaus, she returned to the Netherlands, where she continued to develop her unique style and contributed significantly to the Dutch textile industry. Her work was not just about creating beautiful fabrics; it was about pushing the boundaries of what textiles could be, both in form and function.

Throughout her career, Kitty van der Mijll Dekker's contributions to textile design were recognized and celebrated. She participated in numerous exhibitions and her work was sought after by both private collectors and public institutions. Her legacy lives on in the way she transformed the perception of textiles from mere decorative items to integral components of modern design. Kitty's story is a testament to the power of creativity and innovation, showing us how one person's vision can weave its way into the fabric of history.