Being an overthinker, Alice Mikkelsen needed to put her thoughts somewhere. She started with music and progressed to prints, textiles, knitting, embroidery; whatever required patience and dedication, there it was. “I didn’t study art, but I’ve always liked doing art.” The sense of nostalgia related to childhood is very relevant in her experience. She does not want to make statements, she wants her art to be something that speaks about her. She makes art because she needs it, not because someone else needs it.

“I just can’t get over things” 

Lino prints were her first foray into the public arena. She finds the printing process appealing because it involves focusing on a task and, through repetitive motions, creating something tangible. This helps her stay connected to her work, minimizing distractions and overthinking. It’s the same reason she enjoys embroidery: she loves what needs patience to be done.

When we apply this concept to textiles, it turns out that there is also the notion of taking care of something, since she deals with vintage clothes. She learned this approach from her mother, who passed down the know-how inherited from Alice’s grandmother. This created a dimension of feminine and generational knowledge. Every time she applies a patch to “rescue” a garment from the trash, she also adds a layer of love to it.

images by PILOTENKUECHE or supplied by artist

Needless to say, the issue of sustainability, in a world where fast fashion seems to prevail, plays an important role. Her grandmother used to knit clothes by hand for Alice’s mother. Although Alice never met her grandmother, this practice created a bond between them. She holds onto this connection dearly. Despite the fact that this technique could have been lost, it was not, because it was considered so important that it was made a priority. Now, Alice takes pride in her ability to knit, sew, and piece things together, as she does with her thoughts.

and layers…

After all, every time we repair something, we add a layer of love to it. In her prints, she draws inspiration from a childhood spent largely in the company of her dog, making it a central figure in her work. That’s why we see the little figure of a child accompanied by it. Her artwork Homesick features a view of her street. For Alice, homesickness is a wonderful feeling because it signifies you can call somewhere “home”. Alice identifies as queer and grew up in Queensland, Australia, a two-hour drive from Brisbane.

“I used to live in a racist and homofobic context: it was not my fault if I didn’t have so many friends”. Now, she has chosen to surround herself with people who accept the real her, a decision solidified after moving to Brisbane.

Her work Heat Maps, is a hand-knitted triptych that captures the intense warmth experienced by a woman in love with another woman. This work showcases her eagerness to experiment with both techniques and the creative process. Beginning with something deeply personal, the ambiguous nature of the images allows the work to transcend to a universal dimension. 

Leipzig input

Here in Leipzig, Alice feels stimulated by her surroundings. At the studio she has found a friendly environment that allows her to be herself and get input from other artists. Her goal of sustainability is furthered by experiences like visiting Restlos, during the Program Day at PILOTENKUECHE. These materials really open up new ideas and challenges.  She is taking advantage of her large studio space to go big and focus on technique: enjoying experimenting with textiles and taking on large scale prints. 

Daria Passaponti