Being invited into Kiva's home and studio is a bit like entering a dream. Sunlight pours into the space, bringing to life the mosaics of color that fill the room. She offers us tea and makes us instantly feel at home. In a gentle and intentional tone she tell us about her upcoming shows, travels and the history of her studio. Originally the home of her parents in the 1960s, her mother a modern dancer and father a painter, it's clear that creativity is the heart of this home.
In 2014 Kiva Motnyk founded Thompson Street Studio with the intention of creating experimental textiles and objects imbued with authenticity and longevity. Exploring connections between art, industry and nature; finding joy in the serendipitous, looping process of discovery, conception and making. To learn more about Kiva's process and upcoming exhibitions check out our Q&A below!
(Photos by Chloe Horseman @chloehorseman)
I grew up wanting to be a painter like my father, When I went to RISD I discovered Textiles. I found working with different textures and materials challenging and gratifying, learning how to construct weaves and knits, how to translate drawings into silkscreens and learning how to create your own colors in materials through dyeing. It opened a world of different mediums allowing more sculptural dimensional work to develop.
I think it is important to consider the way things are made. It is not enough that it’s beautiful. We are in a time when we need to be thoughtful about what we are contributing and how we are working and living. I feel more balanced when I am working closer to nature, my favorite part of the process is when I am experimenting with natural dyes and have the opportunity to work outside. I have always valued objects that have a story or lasting value. This inspiration goes into each piece and is reflected in the studio practice.
The studio was my family home growing up and also was my parent’s studio. My mother was modern dancer and my father is a painter. I feel lucky to be in the space that has been the center for my family for a long time and now I am able to continue to use as a creative working and meeting place.
I am interested in garments that are made with quality and intention. I like natural fabrics and I am attracted to mixed textures. I also love unexpected surprises or details, colors and materials. Overall I want pieces that make me feel good.
India is one of my favorite places to travel to. The energy and color is incredible, the textile history is like no other place. This last trip I spent time in the south learning how to make natural dyes from the plants growing in that particular region, including jabras seed, sappenwood and myrobolam flower to name a few.
I love the seasons. I enjoy seeing the subtle shifts that happen over time, and working with the changing plants. I look forward to coming to visit our home in the country each week to see what new plants have arrived, or if there will be snow.
I would put in laws to protect our environment, through industry standards and everyday individual practices.
My perfect day is taking a walk with my husband and our dog Sammie upstate and swimming in the river with friends and making a delicious dinner. A drink with friends and family on the porch in the evening.
I am working on an exhibition opening in the fall curated by Andrea Stern and Sheri Pasquarella, at DieFerma Cooper Square in NYC. I will also be presenting a workshop along with my collaborator Susan Cianciolo in the fall as part of Performa.
See what Kiva's wearing here, and learn more about her work at http://www.thompsonstreetstudio.com/!
Kiva's Measurements
Height: 5'8
Waist 29"
Hip 40 1/2"
Bust 35"
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Like many of us, I was introduced to Ilana Glazer through the genius of Broad City, a show that she and pal Abbi Jacobson created and starred in. So when Ilana came to our Fort Greene shop last fall, we just about lost it! We shared that this year is Kordal's ten year anniversary and it would be such an honor to feature her in our Lived in Series to mark the occasion. Fast forward a few months later and Ilana is rolling up to set in Crown Heights on her bike, and yes, she's just as cool and kind as you'd expect. She's generous with her time, has everyone cracking up and looks incredible in our knits - even on a humid 90 degree day. We got a chance to talk about pregnancy and healthcare, how styling informs her characters, and finding levity amidst existential challenges.