Tanja Kirst’s research-based and artistic approach to design and product development delves into the intricate interplay of textiles and colour, with each thread and hue telling a unique story. Her work explores subtle details, with colour transitions and gradations playing a pivotal role in evoking emotion and narrative depth.
Embracing circular-based materials, she redefines eco-friendly elements through a harmonious blend of design and craftsmanship, infusing her creations with renewed allure and sustainability. This experimental approach enriches textiles with longevity and poetic essence, inviting viewers to engage with their evolving functionality over time.
Trained in both traditional textile crafting and industrial production, Tanja Kirst believes that the big difference lies in the small details. Her experiences across Scotland, Italy, Holland, Japan, France, and India, in both craft and manufacturing, using analogue and digital techniques, have profoundly influenced her approach to textiles and colour, allowing her to seamlessly integrate traditional craftsmanship with modern industrial practices.
Her commitment to sustainable production and artistic research continually pushes boundaries in design and creativity. Currently, Tanja Kirst works as a textile designer in her own studio and as a colour specialist at ACT Architectural Colour Tools, where she pioneers hues for plant-based interior paints and conducts workshops on applied colour settings and theories.
Experience:
2023- Colour Designer. ACT Architectural Colour Tools.
2022- Designer, Product Developer and Consultant. Tanja Kirst Studio.
2022 Research Assistant. The Royal Danish Academy, Institute of Architecture and Design, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2018- 2021 Showroom Manager. Kvadrat A/S.
2018 Master of Fine Art specialization in Textile Design, The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Design. Copenhagen, Denmark.
2017 Selected student - Comon Creativity Sharing. Como, Italy.
2017 TextielMuseum - Textiellab. Product Development Assistant, Tilburg, Holland.
2015 Exchange - Osaka Seikei University. Osaka, Japan.
2013 Bachelor (HONS) Fine Art Painting and Printmaking, The Glasgow School of Art. Glasgow, Scotland.
2012 Exchange - Beaux-arts de Paris, l’école nationale supérieure. Paris, France.
Selected Honours
2020 Nominated Artisan of the Year / Årets Kunsthåndværker - Design Awards 2020.
2019 Finalist Young Talent - Danish Design Award 2019.
2019 Invited Resident Artist - The Albers Foundation - Thread, Senegal, Africa.
2018 Winner of Talent of the Year / Årets Talent - Design Awards 2018.
Selected Grants
2024 Work grant - Tage Vangaard og hustrus fond.
2023 Work grant - Danish Arts Foundation.
2022 Work grant - Danmarks Nationalbank Jubilæumsfond.
2022 Work grant - Danish Arts Foundation.
2022 Work grant - Tage Vangaard og hustrus fond.
2021 Work grant - Danish Arts Foundation.
2021 Work grant - Danmarks Nationalbank Jubilæumsfond.
2021 Work grant - Danish Arts Foundation.
2021 Work grant - Danish Arts Foundation.
2020 Work grant - Danish Arts Foundation.
2019 The Josef & Anni Albers Foundation, Thread Artists’ Residency, Senegal, Africa.
2018 Work Grant - Danmarks Nationalbank Jubilæumsfond Scholarship.
Selected Exhibitions
2024 Heimtextil Trends 24/25, Heimtextil Main, Frankfurt, Germany.
2023 ’Flora & Fauna’, Udstillingsted for Tekstil. Copenhagen, Denmark.
2023 ’Material Matters Fair’, London Design Festival, England.
2023 ’Planted’, solo exhibition at Officinet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2021 ‘Danish Prediction’ ADORNO x NYCxDESIGN, New York, US.
2021 ‘1+1=11’ Rundetaarn, Copnehagen, Denmark.
2020 ‘The Mindcraft Project’, www.mindcraftproject.com.
2019 ‘Arket og solen’ (The ark and the sun), Huset i Asnæs, Denmark.
2019 ‘KADK X FN’s Verdensmål’ - The Danish Parliament, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2018 ‘Beautiful X Sustainable’, Lokomotivværkstedet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2017 ‘Collapsible’ Kyoto Institute of Technology. Kyoto, Japan.
2013 ‘Degreeshow’, Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow, Scotland.
2013 ‘Everyday White’, The Old Hair Dresser’s, Glasgow, Scotland.
2013 ‘Opening Show’, Idoart Lab, Mejlgade, Århus, Denmark.
2013 ‘Eksil’ Idoart Lab, Mejlgade, Århus, Denmark.
2012 ‘No Man’s Art Gallery- Pop Up Exhibition’ Copenhagen, Denmark.
2011 ‘Exchange’, Beaux-arts de Paris, l’école nationale supérieure, Paris, France.
Talks
2024 ACT Architectural Colour Tools - Colour workshops and lectures
2023 Material Matters Talk - conversation with Grant Gibson, London Design Festival. England.
2023 Create Tomorrow - The WGSN podcast.
2020 COVER Connect “Sustainability in Design” Panel discussion, COVER Magazine.
2020 “Hemp Futures” Panel discussion. The Barn and Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen.
2019 “Design Talk - Denmarks’s new designer” The Danish Art Workshops, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2018 Radio interview “Kulturen på P1”. Danmarks Radio.
For commissions and collaborations, please reach out.
CONTACT
Tanja Kirst
+45 28978883
tanjakirst@gmail.com