Embroidered Quilt: Nikolija Stanojević
I discovered Nikolija Stanojević’s work while browsing the website of the University of Applied Arts Vienna and was immediately drawn to her use of materials. As I continue to explore different surfaces and textiles for felting, her practice resonated with my own interest in how material qualities can convey emotional tension.
Stanojević investigates the threshold between comfort and vulnerability through her hand-embroidered satin quilts—objects traditionally associated with safety and protection. She stitches scenes of domestic furniture, such as chairs and tables, onto satin surfaces to reflect inner thoughts and emotional states. These embroidered marks disrupt the smoothness of the satin, creating a quiet yet unsettling tension that asks: how can something soft and comforting provoke unease?
Initially, I was attracted to her material choices, but after reading her artist statement, I felt a deeper connection to her conceptual approach. Her ability to translate psychological tension through delicate materials made me reflect on the discomfort I feel when seeing the satin surfaces appear scarred or imperfect. To me, the stitches resemble wounds or scars, evoking feelings of anxiety and struggle. This has inspired me to experiment with embroidery or felting on delicate fabrics to create disrupted surfaces, as a way to express the tension between comfort and unease in my own work.
Univeristy of Applied Arts Vienna. “Nikolija Stanojević: Soft Armor.” University of Applied Arts Vienna, 2025. Accessed September 29, 2025. https://aaa.dieangewandte.at/abschlussarbeiten/nikolija-stanojevi-soft-armor-2025-SoSe-042/.
