commissioned Biekindle art
Bring the memories of sentimental garments to life!
Biekindle: for the woman who wants to remember her favorite clothing memories and add joy to her walls. Give them new life and bring those memories back to you.
Imagine clothing memories forevered into wall art
Your clothing speaks volumes about who you are. Every piece you’ve collected over the years reveals something about your customs, habits, identities and feelings. Each one contains stories of who you used to be and clothes that celebrate who you are today.
Scientifically, our prefrontal cortex activates when we ‘create associations between external things and ourselves through ownership’.* This means our clothes are part of who we are – a reflection of our personality. Acting like memory banks, they are a powerful tool triggering nostalgia, bringing happiness and lifting your mood.
As a wardrobe curator, I want to help minimize the number of clothes you never wear again. Instead of leaving them in a box or letting them take up space in your closet, why not turn them into art? As an artist who loves stories and a designer who loves cherished clothes, I transform your clothing treasures into art pieces for your wall.
“Memory is the diary we all carry about with us.” ~Oscar Wilde
Sentimental memories
Clothes can act as a time capsule and evoke sentimental memories. Certain items can become a symbol for a time in your life, an area of personal growth, or simply the realization of how far you’ve come. They can evoke powerful memories of specific times in your life, such as your baby’s first outfit, proposal dress, mum’s nightgown, grandmother’s scarf, or the jeans you traveled in around the world. My mission is to celebrate these memories so you can enjoy them every day.
When people engage in nostalgia-inducing activities, research has shown* that they tend to feel better mentally and:
→ Experience higher self-esteem
→ Are more optimistic
→ Feel less lonely
→ Feel more socially connected
→ Are more creative
→ Feel cozier!
What you get with Biekindle
→ Your memories “forevered” on the wall
→ No more clutter in your wardrobe
→ Protection of memories
→ Treasures brought back to life
→ Honouring the sentimental value
→ Jewellery for your walls
Biekindle impression:
Biek, your creative wizard
How Biekindle started
A few years back, I bought a beautiful white T-shirt in Tokyo. It had a great design with a mix of fabrics, and I wore it to death. I didn’t want to part with it, but I also didn’t want to see it taking up space in my wardrobe. It gave me the idea to deconstruct it so it was still recognizable but reconstruct it into something beautiful for my wall.
I have collaged my way through life. During my 7 years at two art schools, I developed an eye for collage-making. It helped me cut away the unnecessary and combine elements to create something new and better. During my 10+ years in fashion design, I incorporated collage-making skills into my design process – piecing together different clothes to create something new and unique.
Much like the collage of life, it’s about embracing what speaks to you and discarding the rest to make it your own.
Imagine reducing clutter from your wardrobe and cherishing memories that will bring a smile to your face every day. I love giving new life and meaning to something old. After learning about the life of the garment and the memories associated with it, I create a textile collage that preserves the essence of the garment and its meaning – one that you can hang on the wall and spark joy and conversation.
Biek seen, heard, and read in:
How does Biekindle work?
1
intake
After our initial meeting, I will begin the intake process. I understand how important these pieces are to you. I want to know everything about the memories and other associated sentiments.
2
create
After learning about the garment’s life and associated memories, I create a textile collage that preserves its essence and meaning to you.
3
memories forever
The textile collage is a great way to remember your past and create conversations with guests. Every day you will see these memories as a piece of art on the wall!
what others say
I am so grateful for it! At first, I didn’t resonate with the art piece. And then, all of a sudden, I had this overwhelming emotional attachment to it. We both just loved it SO much. It just completely crawled into our hearts and we feel so emotional about it. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. We couldn’t be happier. It’s such an emotional piece and we are so attached to it.
Liezel Strauss
artist, co-founder, and director of Art girl rising and Subject matter.
--- Commissioned T-shirts that were unsellable due to little mistakes.
It was quite something to hand over the precious memories of the favorite items of my son when he was small, but I am so happy I gave it to Biek. The artwork is in his room in view and I am grateful everyday to be reminded of the precious memories.
Often I have a conversation with my son about his younger years that he often starts when he see the art piece. I couldn’t recommend this survice for commissioned art more!
Taco
Commissioned pieces of the favorite clothes of her son.
About
Biekindle by Biek Speijk
I have a huge love for clothes, and even though I have years of breaking rods and chaos in drawers, I loved most of my clothes to death. In my design career, I valued high-quality design and wanted women to wear clothes for years. I appreciate the memories we make with clothes, especially now that I am a mother.
Biekindle is derived from rekindle; to make someone have a feeling of the past. This is where my designer’s eye for collage-making and natural talent for focusing on what to keep – the essence – and getting rid of the rest come together. My works connect the invisible threads of your well-loved garment’s past with the future in a textile collage.
As a designer, part of my mission is to show that clothes are valuable resources by extending their life. I aim to create artworks where I bring memories and people together. This is where artwork becomes heartwork; bringing sentiment and soul to your home.
Questions and answers
FAQ's
A: I am very careful when I work with your sentimental items. Knowing the stories, memories, and wishes is essential to my artistic storytelling.
A commissioned Biekindle starts at S$650, for one garment like a T-shirt or baby garment. The price is agreed upon in advance and includes framing and shipping.
A: We can meet face-to-face in Singapore or over zoom. You can make an appointment by using this link or via any of the buttons on this page.
https://biekaleidoscope.as.me/Biekindle
A: That is not a problem! It’s all related to the story you want to tell and how it’s connected to your memories. If requested, I can remove most stains and repair minor damage, or it can be used as is or covered up.
A: I work solely with natural fabrics or blends where most material contains natural fibres, as these fabrics have the best structure. But I am open to discussing your needs because the synthetic yarns from 50 years ago are not the same as those we use today, and it might be possible for me to work with them.
References:
*San Fransisco State University. (2011). ‘Seeking happiness? Remember the good times, forget the regrets’. ScienceDaily. Retrieved 2022 from www.sciencedaily.com