Claudy Jongstra (1963) is a Dutch artist and textile designer, internationally known for her impressive and sustainable works that bring together art, craft and ecology. She was born in Roermond and studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Utrecht. In the 1990s, she started her career as a textile designer, working with leading fashion designers such as Christian Lacroix and John Galliano.
Jongstra is best known for her unique tapestries and artworks, in which she uses hand-felted wool and natural dyes. Her works are characterized by an organic aesthetic, rich textures and a deep connection with nature. She uses materials such as wool from old sheep breeds and dyes from plants that she grows herself on her farm in Friesland. Her work is not only artistic but also socially engaged, with a strong focus on sustainability and the preservation of traditional crafts.
Among her best-known projects is the carpet for the WTC One in New York and her contribution to the renovation of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where she created a monumental artwork. Her work is exhibited worldwide and is part of collections at prestigious museums such as the MoMA in New York and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
In addition to her artistic practice, Jongstra is an advocate for biodiversity and ecological regeneration. She has her own biodynamic farm and works with local communities and farmers to promote natural processes and sustainable production. Her work and philosophy have made her an influential figure at the intersection of art, design and sustainability.
Claudy Jongstra continues to inspire artists and activists alike, and her work calls for a renewed appreciation of nature and craftsmanship in contemporary society.
