A collaboration between Yamuna Forzani and Céline Hurka, Symbols of Utopia transforms historical textile traditions into contemporary tapestries rich with symbolism. Drawing from archival research in institutions such as the Amsterdam Museum, the Huis van het Boek the Hague, or the library of the Tilburg Textile museum, the project brings together feminist histories, botanical motifs, and typographic elements.

Produced using a combination of 3D-knitting, embroidery, and embellishments, the works combine machine and handcraft techniques. Symbols of Utopia started in 2024 as a research project and is an ongoing collaboration. It will consist of 7 large scale tapestries. The first one, “Dreams”, was commissioned by the Amsterdam Museum and incorporates letters written by Amsterdam women, reflecting the project’s deep connection to community voices. The work has been exhibited at Dutch Design Week, PAN Amsterdam, and Art Rotterdam and is on view at Kunstmuseum Den Haag and Amsterdam Museum.

Symbols of Utopia continues to evolve through new exhibitions, events, and workshops, reinforcing its message of empowerment and collective storytelling. Each tapestry is a chapter, a manifesto of a bigger story, shaped by its collaborations.

IN COLLABORATION WITH YAMUNA FORZANI

PRODUCED AT TILBURG TEXTILE MUSEUM
3-D Knitting 

SHOWN AT 
Dutch Design Week, Isola 2024
PAN Amsterdam, 2024
Amsterdam Museum – Vrouwen van Amsterdam, 2024-2025
Art Rotterdam 2025
Kunstmuseum Den Haag, 2025
Loods6, 2025

RESEARCH FACILITATORS
Amsterdam Museum, Amsterdam
Huis van het Boek, Den Haag

THANKS TO
Represented By Agency
Pien Rademakers
Mari Ebisu
Sanne Bolten
Yoeri Meessen
Greta Skagerlind
Terrafranta
Samuel Rynearson

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Yani Chuang 
Mathilde Vandenbussche

PRODUCTION ASSISTANCE
Stefaniia Bodnia
Billie van Oosterom
Trang Lee
Alessia Pasquini
Maud van Baar
Charlie Nguyen

SUPPORTED BY STIMULERINGSFONDS

REPRESENTED BY RADEMAKERS GALLERY
Available for purchase