“A Perpetual Search of Self”

by Isabelle Karman, 2023

Isabelle is an artist and designer with a profound fascination for identity, the process through which identity is formed and finally how it is expressed in art. Her cultural heritage, being Dutch, Panamanian and American, has been a source of inspiration. She combines influences from contemporary design and traditional Panamanian techniques as away to represent both backgrounds in her work. 

In her project “A Perpetual Search of Self”, she drew inspiration from a traditional Panamanian sewing technique used by the Kuna people of Panama to create textile art called “Molas”. A craft she has been mesmerised by since childhood. She took this project as an opportunity to learn and familiarise her self with the technique.  A way to reconnect to her background. The result, a form of research based art that is an embodiment of her on going quest to finding her own identity within the technique. 

“Sitting down and hand sewing these pieces was an incredibly memorable experience. I had to handle each piece with care, intentionality, eye for detail and tenderness. The act of creating was very intimate.”

Isabelle

“Creating this work taught me to find fulfillment in the process and not be consumed by what the end result will be.”

Isabelle

“This work is by no means finished, it is just the beginning of me using my craft as a metaphorical and cathartic process threw which I explore and express my identity.”

Isabelle