Utrecht Lokaal: Joyce Overheul

Joyce Overheul (1989, Den Bosch) makes artworks from textiles, often based on photography. She uses embroidery, crochet and beadwork, craft techniques that have long been dismissed as women’s hobbies. In her works, she interweaves politically charged subject matter, such as women’s rights, the refugee crisis and the arms trade, creating a strong contrast between the hard content and the soft materials. This combination forms the leitmotif (the recurring theme) for her work. She tackles painful social issues with a needle, thread and beads and a dash of humour.  

Utrecht Local presents an overview of her recent work. The transparent architecture in this space allows us to see the back of the works, revealing how many hours have gone into making them.  

Overheul received both her BA and MA in fine art at the HKU in Utrecht.