About the Artist |
Zuhal Kuvan-Mills’ deep love for the Australian bush, animals and her native land of Turkey is infused in every fibre of her handmade textiles. Using certified organic Western Australian merino & alpaca material, the Atelier Zuhal founder creates highly specialised textile pieces which double as extraordinary pieces of art.
Each textile is a fascinating blend of her many passions. The Perth-based professional artist & designer is inspired by Turkey’s cultural appreciation of rugs and adopts the country’s traditional felt making techniques for her exotic works. Zuhal also has the distinction of being the first and only Australian artist to be certified for meeting international organic standards for textiles. As each stage–from processing to creative design–must be certified, she produces only about 10 to 12 rugs a year. As a result, her works are incredibly precious and intricate. |
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Her Passion
She lives on a sprawling bush property in Perth’s outer fringes. The vast blue skies, distinct Australian light and the region’s landscapes all inspire her work.
Zuhal’s passion for nature began as a young girl in Turkey, where she spent summers on her family’s enchanting hazelnut farm. As an adult, her interest in animals led her to become a veterinary surgeon and later, an animal science lecturer. Her involvement with creatures great and small continues today. She’s the delighted owner of an alpaca farm in Perth’s Swan Valley and keeps her own silkworms.
Zuhal reinvented herself as an artist in 2004 when she rediscovered her childhood love of art and began to train professionally in London and Australia. Combining meticulous craftsmanship with rich designs, Zuhal’s bespoke textiles are usually based on social justice themes, particularly relating to violence against women.
Zuhal’s passion for nature began as a young girl in Turkey, where she spent summers on her family’s enchanting hazelnut farm. As an adult, her interest in animals led her to become a veterinary surgeon and later, an animal science lecturer. Her involvement with creatures great and small continues today. She’s the delighted owner of an alpaca farm in Perth’s Swan Valley and keeps her own silkworms.
Zuhal reinvented herself as an artist in 2004 when she rediscovered her childhood love of art and began to train professionally in London and Australia. Combining meticulous craftsmanship with rich designs, Zuhal’s bespoke textiles are usually based on social justice themes, particularly relating to violence against women.
Education
Zuhal studied at the University of Creative Arts in London and has a Bachelor of Art from Curtin University in WA. Since then, she’s been in many group and solo exhibitions.