In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Katarina Orolinov.

Katarina is a Slovakian contemporary embroidery and textile art artist known for laser-cut perspex panels built from lace and geometric pattern logic.

Katarina shares early making (drawing, sewing, textiles clubs) and a schooling route that builds serious technical range (embroidery, bobbin lace, weaving). We dig into heritage vs experimentation, studio life, what plays in the background while stitching, and the closing line: the dream upgrade is a laser cutting machine.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 – The origin story: drawing, sewing, and deciding on art early

00:01:25 – Learning the fundamentals: embroidery, lace, weaving (the whole toolbox)

00:03:50 – Choosing your path young: how the Slovak system works

00:09:00 – Getting into art university: tests, live models, and creative tasks

00:13:00 – Heritage, but make it future: what belongs in the work (and what doesn’t)

00:19:00 – Studio life: making for work, making for fun

00:20:10 – What’s on in the background while stitching

00:27:50 – Books and blackwork (Jane Goodwin)

00:32:20 – A personal note: summers with Katarina’s grandmother in a foster-care community

00:35:25 – The closer: “I don’t want that ring. I want a laser cutting machine.”

Links:

Instagram: katarina_orolinova_art

Intro music is Below Horizon by Luwaks via Epidemic Sound.

About NeedleXChange

An artist interview podcast exploring contemporary embroidery and textile art. Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers.

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