Setting the direction

WARP is borrowing its name from a term that is widely used in the textile tradition. Warp is setting the direction of the threads when weaving. Warp threads run vertically and provide structure to the woof; the weft threads that are being wrapped around the warp. 

Tilburg is a city with a rich textile tradition. During the Industrial Revolution, the textile factories that were established in our town gave Tilburg its label ‘wool city of the Netherlands’. At the height of textile production, over 140 factories were active in Tilburg. 

The mission of SEA Foundation is to support visual artists in their professional practices, to stimulate art production, and find exposure for these works in an international context.

Organizations like SEA Foundation resemble the warp: a collection of threads being stretched in place presenting a frame and a given direction. For WARP we invite artists to draw their practice over and under like the weft threads. The result is a fabric made through collaboration, experiment, skills, and trust.

Vitrine

SEA Foundation is recognized by its large shop window at Gust van Dijk’s. This vitrine is a transparent in-between space offering passers-by the opportunity to be curious about what is happening inside at SEA Foundation. WARP 2020 is a curated project that exhibits works of art in the vitrine and the front room which is visible behind the vitrine. The window is the “loom” that allows invited professional artists to twist and bend their practice over and under accordingly. 

WARP aims to establish a portfolio of regional and national artists and interlink the project with our international artist in residence program. We see the macro-level of international cooperation as our strength. The WARP project pursues a movement of artistic production that evokes discourse and acknowledges connectivity. The time-frame for each WARP project is set at 2 to 4 weeks.

The exhibitions in 2020 WARP program were supported by the Mondriaan Fund.

Art & Sustainability

Since 2021, SEA Foundation is curiously unfolding 12 perspectives of art & sustainability. These follow the practices of 12 artists presented in the virtual vitrine #sea_youhere2.0. Through the continuing research we also link our physical vitrine to the current folds.

Artists

#01 05.06.2020 – 05.07.2020 Sabine de Graaf
#02 10.07.2020 – 30.08.2020 Lisette de Greeuw
#03 16.10.2020 – 15.11.2020 Peng Zhang
#04 11.12.2020 – 17.01.2021 Risja Steeghs
#05 30.09.2022 – 23.10.2022 Lisa Maartense
#06 28.10.2022 – 18.11.2022 Pauline Berger
#07 03.12.2022 – 29.01.2023 Steffie de Gaetano
#08 04.12.2023 – 11.03.2023 Jamie Kane