2008 Recipient

Angelika Werth

Angelika Werth is a contemporary sculptor/designer working in fibre. Influenced by her time in Paris and with Yves St. Laurent, her theatrical garments are both stand-alone sculpture and wearable art. Meticulous craftsmanship, aesthetic beauty and innovative design are the hallmarks of her work. Angelika's work has been exhibited widely in Canada and abroad and is included in private collections from the BC Provincial Collection in Victoria to the Cambridge Art Gallery in Ontario. She has received awards from the BC Arts Council, Canada Council, and won second prize in an international fibre exhibition in Chateau Chassy in Morval, France.

Jacket for Ethel Wilson (detail)

Born and educated in Germany, Angelika Werth has been working in fashion for over 40 years initially as a dress-maker/designer and then evolving into an innovative contemporary sculptor designer working in fibre. Inspired by her time working with Yves Saint Laurent in Paris, Angelika now straddles the worlds of fine craft and fashion, with her magnificent hand-felted jackets, dresses and costumes which are both stand-alone sculpture and wearable art. Her fibre work is part of permanent public collections in Japan, California, Ontario and the BC Provincial Collection in Victoria. Angelika has served as Coordinator and instructor at the Fibre Department at the Kootenay School of the Arts and has served on its Board of Directors.