12 Vibrant Hand-Stitched Portraits That Combine Fine Art And Textile Craft
Ukranian born artist, Kathrin Marchenko has developed a signature style that’s a blend of both modern and traditional embroidery techniques. Her vibrant pieces focus on the physicality of the thread, handstitched on to tranparent tulle. This combination allows the artist to create the illusion that her visuals are suspended mid-air, highlighting the fragility and emotional depth her masterpieces exude.
Currently based in between France and Argentina, this talented artist excels at provoking an emotional response with her embroidery art. She has been representing her artistic efforts through symbolic and expressive motifs such as hands, eyes, and organic forms. The internationally recognized artist is renowned for her handstitched portraits on sheer tulle that represent a poetic ode to a timeless artform.
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Marchenko told DeMilked, “[My] background in fashion design and costume influences [my] deep attention to detail, anatomy, and the physicality of thread. [My] artworks have been featured in collaborations with Gigi Hadid and V Magazine, as well as in campaigns for Netflix and other global platforms. [I] also teach embroidery internationally, both in person and through online courses”.
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Marchenko’s art has been exhibited across Europe and shared widely online, where it has captivated audiences for its emotional resonance and timeless technique. Regarding her current artistic expression, Marchenko elaborated,”I started working seriously with embroidery in 2016. What began as a quiet personal practice quickly grew into a full-time artistic journey”.
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Expressing her fascination with this particular artform, Marchenko claimed, “Embroidery became my way of connecting with vulnerability and beauty in a tangible way. I was drawn to the meditative rhythm of stitching and to the contrast between softness and structure. Transparent tulle in particular allows me to express fragility and layers — like suspended memories”.
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Explaining the creative process behind her art, Marchenko divulged, “I usually begin with a pencil sketch on paper — often of a hand or emotional gesture. I transfer the drawing to tulle and start stitching layer by layer, using thread like a painter uses color. I work with a limited palette and build depth gradually, adding looped textures and linear movement. Every piece is entirely handmade, and the process is slow, intentional, and intimate”.
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