Meggi Sandell
Name: Meggi Sandell
Professional title: Artist
Born year: 1973
Comes from (city/country): Danderyd
Educational programme at HDK:Textilkonst
Which year did you graduate from HDK? 2004
Other educational programmes: Preparatory textile programme in Borås, preparatory art programme at Eskilstuna folkhögskola and academic studies in philosophy, the History of Literature, Peace- and Conflict studies, Gender studies, Chinese and History of Ideas at the Universities of Umeå, Gothenburg and Stockholm.
What did you do, directly after leaving HDK?
I exhibited my work ”Tills allt försvinner” (”Until everything disappears”) at Tokyo Style at Arlanda. This piece of work was also chosen or a series of exhibitions in Europe under the name “Languages”, arranged by the association called Think Tank, A European Initiative for the Applied Arts. At the same time I studied the History of Literature and worked with Göteborgs Internationella Konstbiennal (the International Art Biennial of Gothenburg).
What are you doing today?
I’m active as an artist with exhibitions and my own creative work, study Chinese at the University, run Manda Publishing House and work with the international, artist-driven art fair “Supermarket Art Fair” in Stockholm.
How did you end up there? Can you describe your way to professional life?
I have exhibited in many places in Sweden and abroad. 2006 I was appointed the studio scholarship of Västra Götalandsregionen (the region of Western Sweden) and spent three inspiring months in Kunming in southern China. The same year, I was appointed ”the Craft Artist of the Year” by the association Konsthantverkets Vänner and the year after I was chosen for the 12th International Textile Triennal in Lódz, Poland. There, I received the silver medal from the jury, for my work “Reflection”, made in jacquard.
Your strongest memory from HDK?
The people and the materialized possibilities of the textile workshops and supply of materials, not forgetting the digital workshop.
What is your most important lesson from HDK?
I had the chance to take an extra year, between the 4th and 5th year, where I divided my time between experimental work in the tricot workshop of the School of Textiles in Borås, and independent project studies at HDK. By doing this, knowledge in digital technique and queer theory was cross-fertilized with the knowledge in industrial production of jacquard. This led me into the developing of a new, unique method for jacquard knitting, which was artistically meaningful.
Did you have some kind of strategy, during your HDK years, to influence your future carrier?
No, not more than to try to feel what was really important to me. The time at HDK meant the opportunity – time and space – to be able to concentrate on my own artistry, with all possibilities offered. An important context. I have always chosen my own path, at the point of intersection between art and craft and academic theories.
If you should give one advice to a HDK student today – what would that be?
Make use of all the possibilities you are offered! Equipment, knowledge, contacts… Make sure to get what you want and need, like special courses, workshops abroad or exchanges with other schools. Take the chance while you have it!
Do you have a website, where interested can read and see more of what your current work?
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