Painting on the floor, felt rugs at the Melina Finkelstein Gallery

An exhibition of felt rugs by Melina Finkelstein, K’era Morgan and Jen Garrido

An exhibition of felt carpets, along with the paintings that inspired them, is currently running at the Melina Finkelstein Gallery until 30 March. This unique collaboration features the work of artists Melina Finkelstein, K’era Morgan, and Jen Garrido, marking the evolution of a felt rug practice that Finkelstein has been developing since 2002.

The collection represents the launch of Melina Finkelstein Rug Co. Labs, a collaborative brand fostering artist partnerships and a collectivist approach to rug distribution. By applying their own unique artistic styles to felt rugs, the artists featured in the exhibition explore new perspectives on felt-making. This initiative aims to rediscover and innovate upon traditional felt-making techniques as part of a global creative community.

The rug designs originate from existing paintings by each artist. Key elements from these artworks were selected and digitally transformed into graphic versions suitable for rug-making. The artists collaborated closely, refining compositions and color schemes until the final designs emerged. These digital patterns were then sent to Betterfelt in Nepal, where the production process began.

The felt-making technique used for this collection is rooted in an ancient practice developed by nomadic tribes in Central Asia, dating back to the Neolithic Age. Felted rugs predate woven carpets by over two thousand years. Traditionally, the design is drawn on a ‘mother cloth’ and layered with wool in various colors. The wool is wetted with hot soapy water, gently pressed, and gradually worked into a dense fabric through rolling and beating techniques. The final step involves blocking and drying to achieve the finished form.