NITHIKUL NIMKULRAT

1. Since when have You been lecturer at Estonian Academy of Arts?

9 October 2013

What subjects have you been teaching?

Textiles of 21st Century (MA), Social Textile Design (BA 3)

What has been your prior teaching experience and where?

Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Finland (2002-2010), Loughborough University, UK (2011-2013), guest lecturer in many institutions, for example, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand (see CV).

2. Who have been your colleagues at previous universities and now?

At Loughborough University, my colleagues were Kerry Walton, Faith Kane, Rachel Philpott, Tina Frank, Jan Shenton, Jan Bowman and Dan Heath. At EKA, my colleagues are Krista Leesi, Piret Valk, Merilin Kruusel and Kristel Laurits

Can you name most influential colleagues and artists in your creative field and teaching?

Probably, Krista Leesi

3. What kind of materials, techniques and formats have you used in artwork and design?

I am currently using paper string and hand knotting as the main media to make 3-dimensional works. Materials sometime include LEDs, wire and acrylic plastic.

4. How has you artwork and design changed with time?

The topic has become more ordinary, but the physical structure of artwork has become more complex.

5. What is your main occupation now?

Professor who teaches and does research, as well as creative work.

What part research play in your professional life? (subject of research)

My current research is about how mathematical concepts may facilitate the designing and making process of my knotted textiles.

6. What is the impact of your professional experience on your work as a head of textile design department and lecturer ?

A broader overview of textile design as a field of expertise, especially, in the Estonian context.

7. What is central/most important in your artwork and textile design? Why?

Material, because it has always been the starting point of my creation and the key to the designing of structures and forms of my work.

8. Who or what influenced your choice of education? Why did you study textile design?

People who were close to me at the time and the situations when I was making a decision. I chose to study textile design, because I found out that textile design deals most of the time with details and precision, which are qualities I am capable of achieving.

9. How would you describe your period of studies? Who were your teachers?

It was inspiring to learn not only from teachers, but also from friends and to see how classmates were developing their skills and creativity throughout the years. My teachers at Aalto were Helena Hyvönen, Helena Lupari and Maija Pellonpää-Forss.