UNRAVELLING THE ART OF WOOL WEAVING

AN INTERVIEW WITH ALDA BUĠEJA

HOW DID YOU DEVELOP YOUR ARTISTIC CAREER ALONG THE YEARS?

Coming from a family of weavers, at the age of five, I was already trying my hands on the loom. Soon, I became fascinated with this trade. Woven products were very much in use in those days and many people were able to weave. However, my family was involved in the whole process of weaving, starting from rearing sheep to the production of wool and the creation of wool products. I often accompanied my mother during her visits to various clients in Malta and Gozo to sell our products and services.

This generated in me also a passion for business. In the meantime, to enhance my expertise in the weaving industry, I attended weaving courses in Sweden, Wales and England. Weaving on our Islands retained much of its popularity until the 1980s but then it started to wane. Yet, I was adamant not to let this trade die out. To raise awareness about the beauty of this ancient trade, I started to participate in radio and TV programmes. I also took part in various exhibitions, both locally and abroad. Eventually, I started to train others in this trade.

WHERE DO YOU FIND YOUR INSPIRATION?

My genuine interest to keep this trade alive nourishes my inspiration. Rather than simply focusing on souvenir products, I weave practical and modern items. Coats, skirts, shawls, scarves, mittens, headwear, handbags, blankets, placemats, rugs and wall-hanging decorations, to name a few, in fashionable patterns and colours are more popular in today’s market.

WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE THAT YOU HAVE EVER CREATED?

There are a good number of creations that I am proud of. However, I am currently very pleased with having the opportunity to weave a stole that Pope Francis wore at the celebration of mass at Ta’ Pinu Shrine during his Apostolic Journey to Malta in 2022. I still treasure the prototype that I produced before working on the original stole.

WHY DID YOU FEEL THE NEED TO PURSUE A TEACHING CAREER AND SHARE THE KNOWLEDGE OF THIS CRAFT TO OTHER STUDENTS? WHAT HAS THIS EXPERIENCE TAUGHT YOU THROUGHOUT THESE YEARS?

Training others is crucial to keeping this traditional trade alive. Although at first hand, weaving might seem overwhelmingly difficult, it is actually quite easy to learn. It is also deeply therapeutic, both mentally and physically. The limits to weaving are one’s creativity and inventiveness and so the possibility to come out with new things is boundless. The fact that times are changing and that technology is advancing should not be seen as a difficulty but as an opportunity. Household wooden looms can still be manufactured by local carpenters and they can be constructed according to one’s particular requirements, such as height and size.

Experience has taught me that this trade is still very relevant and it has great business potential. Once you tap people’s interest, you’ll discover that there are many out there of every age and gender who would be interested to learn if there is a possibility. I wonder why weaving has not yet found its place among the multitude of courses that are available at The Malta College of Art, Science and Technology.