What was the first printed item you made?
It was on a hot summer's day, spent with my children at a lake that I missed something light to wear. So, I made myself a printed tunic. It fits perfectly with the local and regional context. It was something that was missing on the Austrian market at that time.
How do you incorporate the traditional Holzmodeln blockprinting?
During my adventure with prints, many households had wooden models used for printing. This technique is very common in Austria, but it is becoming increasingly forgotten. I took on an old workshop of a manufacturer which had over 400 different wooden patterns. Each of them is hand engraved.
© Christian Jungwirth
Why is regional context so important to your work?
Since I was a child, I have been surrounded by regional influences. My mother would sew a traditional dirndl, while my dad would take me hunting. Patterns inspired by nature, churches, chapels, old architecture, the colours of regional costumes – it inspires me to this day!
What do you like the most about blockprinting?
Herumpatzen, which in Austrian means to experiment. Each model can be reinterpreted in its own way, creating infinite numbers of new patterns, depending on the direction of the printing. Each of them becomes unique and their aesthetic attracts customers who are always the most important for me.