Sophie Taueber-Arp

Sophie Taueber-Arp in the planning office for the Aubette, Strasbourg. 1927

Sophie Taeuber-Arp was a female artist who worked from 1910 to1943 at a time when female artists were considered to be of lesser importance in the male dominated art world.

Recognition of these women has fortunately now changed and there is now more of their work exhibited showing the valuable contribution that they made to the art movements of the time.

She rejected the notion that in order to be a serious artist, work had to fit very tightly in to the Fine Art category. Applied arts were definitely perceived as a lower order.

This was still the case in the 1970’s when I attended Goldsmiths College of Art. I studied on a very broad based textile course which had a reputation for exploring a breadth different specialisms. As a result this produced students who worked across different areas building a knowledge of new skills and materials.

This was not seen as an advantage by the purist Fine Art boys however and the textile course credibility was not helped by the course being titled ‘Embroidery’.

SophieTaeuber-Arp’s work moved seamlessly across different specialisms and in doing so brought fresh and innovative results from many.

A facet of her work I strongly relate to is her fascination with abstraction. Her ability to abstract forms and use shape, scale and colour to create pieces of purity and simplicity is inspiring.

Paule Vézeley wrote after her early death at fifty-four.

‘In the works of Taeuber-Arp we find vigorous line and form. These are put before us as decisive statements. Every unwanted detail has been mercilessly rejected until, purified from all that has no authentic value, each element takes its chosen place in relation to the whole’

She is an artist along with other female artists and designers such as Sonia Delaunay and Charlotte Perriand, whose work I constantly refer to and hope to apply the same principles to my own design work.