5 Things We Learned... Joana Schneider
Joana Schneider, an Amsterdam-based artist, creates spacious installations and sculptural environments that merge natural and fictionalthemes. Her work explores nature, thehuman body, gender dynamics, and the impact of early childhood experiences on adults. Recently, Schneider has centred her artistic exploration with the ironic title “If you know who she is, it’s time for Botox” around Polly Pocket, using the toy to evoke nostalgia and question its influence on beauty standards and the pursuit of perfection. Schneider’s love for textile craft is evident in her work, which draws from Dutch craftsmanship and traditional techniques like embroidery, passementerie, and net-making. Her installations engage viewers' senses visually, tactically, and through its natural smell.
Her work has been showcased internationally at exhibitions such as VOLTA Basel, PAD Paris and London, PULSE Art Week Miami, EnterArt Fair Copenhagen, Masterly Milano, Fite Textile Biennale, and Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. Joana Schneider is represented by Rademakers Gallery and was recently granted the Mondriaan Artist Basic fund 2024-2025.
Here are 5 Things We Learned about Joana.
What made you...you?
My fascination for innovations, independence, andliving juxtapositions. I was always surrounded by strong, intelligent women during my childhood. From a very young age, my grandmother took me on frequent museum visits, especially to the Lehnbachhaus in Munich. My mother gifted me my first woodworking bench at eight, sparking my love for creating small things. Today, I sculpt with textiles, exploring space with materials and driven by a passion for material research and the question: what is possible?
When are you happiest?
I am happiest in my studio, surrounded by my materials and my talented, all-women team. We find joy in creating extraordinary pieces and discovering new solutions together. The privilege of working in such a creative and collaborative environment brings me immense happiness.
Would you rather have a muse or be a muse?
The material is my muse. Unlike relying on a traditional muse, which often suggests an external source of inspiration, embracing the material as my muse allows for a more intuitive exploration. It invites experimentation, encourages spontaneity, and fosters a symbiotic relationship where my artistic vision and the material's inherent qualities coalesce.
Who do you admire?
I admire all women who chase their dreams day by day despite all obstacles. Their resilience, passion, and determination inspire me deeply, reminding me of the strength and creativity that women bring to the world.
What is important?
Experiencing genuine inner moments of happiness and calmness. The meticulous process of hand sawing, spanning hours, allows me to reconnect with why I became an artist in the first place. It's about cherishing these valuable experiences—moments that foster personality growth and artistic development. They enable me to check in with myself and grow as a human being.
Portrait and all images provided by courtesy of Joana Schneider
