Kirsten Maria Birk is an artist who has been engaged in textile art since 2021. She spent eighteen years in South Korea and France and currently creates in Copenhagen, Denmark. She has substantial experience in the footwear industry. When selecting materials, she considers their history. For example, she notes the long journey the cotton she uses has made from the field to her hands, which is interesting in itself and can hold symbolic significance. The material already tells a story, and by using it in her work, it gains new meaning. This is why she chose textiles as her medium. The primary inspiration for her work is nature, specifically humanity’s relationship with it. In her art, nature serves as a starting point for reflection on the human condition. The artist searches for analogies between processes in nature and human emotional states. She is also interested in mythology. Her works are metaphorical and relate to inner experiences, often even her own. Her references to nature are an attempt to search for her roots and perhaps to understand herself.

The piece “Rock in the Sea of Sorrow” is groundbreaking and marks a turning point in her career. For the first time, the artist decided to create a spatial form that is not confined by a frame, which took courage. “Rock in the Sea of Sorrow” consists of a thousand small forms made using the origami technique. Kirsten Maria Birk created it during a challenging period, and as she says, this work serves as a metaphor for her life. She saw herself as a rock in the sea, able to survive huge waves and storms. She found the strength to “step out of the frame,” and since then, she has created beautiful spatial forms. At that time, she came to appreciate herself not only as a person but also as an artist who creates her art and also is her art. Creating is extremely important to her. It is also significant that this work was acquired for the French national collection. 

“Cocoon” is a work that illustrates the major role nature plays in her creative process. The form references a cocoon from which a butterfly emerges. It is not only a symbol of rebirth but also a metaphor for life and death, which coexist together. Something old fades away to make room for the new. Change is an inseparable part of human existence. Humans can open th emselves to new experiences. However, they have a choice and decide what to do with their fate. Often, we carry answers within ourselves and just need time to reach certain conclusions. Both this artwork and “Rock in the Sea of ​​Sorrow” were part of an exhibition at the Musée du Textile et de la Mode de Cholet in France, which ran from April to September this year. 

One of the artist’s latest works is “The Shape of Our Breath.” The title refers  to the moment two lovers take a breath while kissing. The artist also notes that breathing is something that connects all people worldwide. Breathing is the first and last action a person performs in their life. The form of the object reflects inhaled and exhaled air. The three-meter-high spatial form was designed to contrast with the industrial decor of the room for which it was created. It consists of a wire frame and raincoat material cut into strips and hand-dyed, which was challenging due to the type of material. Each piece of fabric was individually shaped and vertically attached to the frame, a time-consuming process that required precision and patience. The artist created it in a gallery on Bredgade Street in Copenhagen, where hundreds of passersby looked through the windows, took photos, recorded videos, and even entered to chat. She had many interesting conversations, including ones about perfectionism and sensitivity. The creative process was highly emotional and lasted three and a half months. Most artists usually create in their studios, isolating themselves in their own world. However, she stepped out of her comfort zone, opening her personal artistic world to strangers. During her work, she heard many personal stories, reflections, and interpretations, which gave this piece an even more universal significance.

Kirsten Maria Birk’s art addresses timeless themes. Through her choice of materials, form, and elaborate metaphor, she speaks of important issues that are  universal enough to allow viewers to relate to them. Her personal experiences often serve as a starting point for building a narrative. Through her works, she reminds us of the beauty a nd sensitivity of human beings. In her art, she often references nature, highlighting its importance not only to the planet but also to humanity. In the 21st century, as the world races forward, we often fail to notice the beauty of nature, which is essential to our existence, so it is worth respecting it and living in symbiosis with it.