Formerly the Ontario Crafts Council, Craft Ontario is a not-for-profit service organization that works to have craft recognized as a valuable part of life. We promote and celebrate professional craft through providing member opportunities, and advocate for craft practice by educating and empowering diverse audiences.
Joanna Schleimer is a Toronto based textile artist. She is a handweaver whose work focuses on creating delicate, personal and nostalgic textiles using fine materials. Schleimer studied Fibre at the Ontario College of Art and Design University, graduating in 2011 with a Bachelor of Design and a university medal for Best in Program. Schleimer has spent time in Harbourfront Centre’s textile studio and was a member of the Contemporary Textile Studio Co-Operative for two years, where she also served as a board member. She has shown her work throughout Ontario and has produced work for private commissions and collections. Currently, Schleimer is a Class Assistant in OCADU’s textile studio while also maintaining a studio practice.
Her studio work focuses on image making while weaving, utilizing the techniques of multi-weft woven inlay and hand embroidery. Schleimer communicates the feelings, memories and emotions associated with a young woman’s experience of expectation, domesticity and legacy through these images. While inlay is the addition of fibre to a woven cloth, Schleimer has recently been exploring subtractive methods of image making through burnout techniques. Schleimer’s work challenges the use of technology, preferring slow woven techniques which honour the unmistakable presence of the hand.
You Can’t Make Whipped Cream with a Fork
Hand woven linen, embroidery, crochet
You Can’t Make Whipped Cream with a Fork, Detail
Hand woven linen, embroidery, crochet
Heirloom
Hand woven linen, embroidery, crochet
Heirloom, Detail
Hand woven linen, embroidery, crochet
Faith
Hand woven linen, wool inlay, embroidery, crochet
Faith, Detail
Hand woven linen, wool inlay, embroidery, crochet
A Woman Now
Hand woven linen, silk inlay, embroidery, crochet
A Woman Now, Detail
Hand woven linen, silk inlay, embroidery, crochet
Catholic Guilt
Hand woven linen, embroidery, crochet
Catholic Guilt, Detail
Hand woven linen, embroidery, crochet
Formerly the Ontario Crafts Council, Craft Ontario is a not-for-profit service organization that works to have craft recognized as a valuable part of life. We promote and celebrate professional craft through providing member opportunities, and advocate for craft practice by educating and empowering diverse audiences.