Betil Dagdelen

Dagdelen works with both mid-century iron rod and custom-made chair and bench frames, into which she weaves yarn seats, backs and armrests, using the furnitures frame as the loom. Her expert woven patterns are inspired by her life experiences. Although Dagdelen is primarily self taught, she further developed her unique approach to weaving by apprenticing with indigenous weavers in New Mexico, Peru, and Turkey.

Dagdelen’s work mixes traditional weaving technologies with an improvisational approach to patterning. She boldly steps away from the loom in preference to weaving into and around sculpted forms. Dagdelen prefers to work with existing materials that have a story to them, and therefore uses yarn created traditionally by both Turkish and Navajo makers.  She lives and works in Abiquiu, New Mexico