Kaffe Fassett (1937 -)
- a life of many colours
In the early 80ies I was in
Stockholm every second week working in tourism. One day during summer I took a walk at
Djurgården recreation area. Outside the majestic Nordic Museum I spotted a very long line
of women and a few men. The posters on the east wall of the building gave the answer to
why people were standing in line; Kaffe Fasset was in town! Half of Stockholm was on its
feet because of this man and his masterly creations knitted in mixed and strong colours.
Haute couture with knitting needles. Think about it! And he who simply learnt how to knit
from a fellow traveller on the train once.
His artistic background is a short stay as an
art student back home in Boston, USA and studies of painting in England where he now
lives. Since then the sources of inspiration have been numerous.
He designs shapes and colour combinations for patchwork, and his helpers sew what he
creates. Paintings in acrylic and watercolour, often with motifs of plants and nature
morte are another of his creative expressions. Tapestry for furniture and curtains, often
in big flowery patterns, is also Kaffe Fasset in decorating and ornamentation. His last
project, which has also been successful, has been made with the collaboration of Candace
Bahouth who loves fitting together mosaic pieces small and beautiful until they become
figures and pictures for tables, floors and walls. Most projects become great books of
beauty for mind and soul. The inspiration is pouring from the pages onto quilters who read
and observe the many photographs in his books. I was spellbound by his books and made my
own flowery patchwork in diamond blocks where the seasons are represented in the fabrics
themselves. My quilt is called "The good earth" like the old book written by the
Norwegian Nobel laureate Knut Hamsun.
Kaffe Fassett makes everything his own way and it seems that whatever he gives his
touch to and works on becomes another success. His website is almost sensual in the
abundance of colours, flowers and beauty. Visit www.kaffe.fassett.com
and taste his coffee of many flavours.
