Sofie Dawo

Sofie Dawo (1926-2010) studied at the Academy for Arts and Crafts in Saarbrücken and was a Professor there from 1958 until her retirement in 1992. It was within this context that she undertook a rigorous analysis of the potential of fibre as a medium, introducing a variety of techniques and materials including cotton, waxed yarn, nylon, silver foil, plastic and metal. She received little recognition for her ground-breaking works during her lifetime, beyond the specific forum of the “International Tapestry Biennials” that were held in Lausanne from 1962 and 1995. Her works ranged from small weavings which investigated materials, techniques and graphic forms, to exuberant, experimental hangings.