Inspiration for textile design can be found everywhere: in the structures, colours and materials of our environment. For students of the Faculty of Textile and Clothing Technology at The Hochschule Niederrhein, the forest became a source of creative exploration. The resulting works will be part of the "Sehnsucht Wald" exhibition at the German Textile Museum in Krefeld from 1 March.
The collaboration came about at the invitation of the German Textile Museum and offered the students the opportunity to present their work to the public as well as exchange expertise. In the "Textile Design Analysis" course taught by Anna Koch, professor of textile design, the students explored the forest as a complex habitat last winter semester. A total of 8 objects by students can be seen in the museum.
"The students' sources of inspiration are as diverse as the forest itself," says professor Anna Koch. "They explore root systems and forest floors, take up the forms of fungi and insects and also look at the relationship between humans and nature."
The students designed very different exhibits such as carpets, upholstered furniture and textile installations. The resulting objects combine aesthetic design with a thematic reflection on the ecological significance and vulnerability of natural habitats.
The works were developed by the students in the state-of-the-art laboratories and workshops at the university's Mönchengladbach site. Using techniques such as weaving, tufting, printing and experimental artistic processes, the students transformed their ideas into textile objects. The result is a diverse presentation that showcases both the design creativity and technical expertise of the budding textile designers. The exhibits reflect the impressive beauty and biodiversity of forests as well as the tireless work of insects, which make up a significant part of the ecosystem.
The exhibition Sehnsucht Wald can be seen from 1 March to 27 December 2026 at the German Textile Museum, Andreasmarkt 8, 47809 Krefeld. In addition to the students' works, works from Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Spain and Ukraine will also be on display.
