Bio
Rosa Smits is an Amsterdam-based artist, constantly on the move, exploring new places and cultures while pursuing her artistic endeavors. With a specialization in textiles, she delves into research, fibers and participative work.
Driven by a fascination for societies that coexist harmoniously with nature, her work revolves around two profound questions: how to live, and how to work together? Drawing inspiration from the writings of influential philosophers such as Roland Barthes, Deleuze, and Bruno Latour, she integrates their philosophies into her creative process. Site-specific works and the act of weaving serve as her primary mediums, symbolizing the creation of connections. Her practice seamlessly weaves together art, craftsmanship, research, and anthropology.
Working with locally sourced materials, Rosa creates natural dyes derived from plants, food remnants, spices, and earth to color her textiles with authentic hues. Her creative approach sometimes extends beyond her individual vision, as she invites local inhabitants to participate in the artistic process, resulting in the birth of a new collective language. Through this exchange of gestures, knowledge, and ideas, hidden connections emerge.
Rosa obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Art & Design at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam in 2018. Her artwork has been exhibited in prominent places such as Rotterdam Artweek and various venues in Amsterdam, including The Cobra Museum and Stedelijk Museum. Her creative journey has also taken her to Morocco, Iceland, Denmark, UK, Germany, France and Hungary, where she has shared her artistic vision with diverse audiences.
Furthermore, Rosa actively engages in extensive research projects, exemplified by her participation in the European Union-funded initiative titled 'Weaving Voices as Threads of Communities' (2022-2024). This project underscores her commitment to exploring the transformative power of art within communities.
