Exhibition of hats

An exhibition of hats is taking place at Kunstpodium 't Oude Raadhuis.

What began as a search for headwear for theater sets grew into a distinctive art form. About eight years ago, Jacobine Bekkers made her first unique hats while working on sets and props for the theater. A hat-making course introduced her to new techniques, but she soon went beyond the craft: the hat became an art object.

In her work, Bekkers draws inspiration from nature. Organic forms, growth, movement, and structure recur in her designs. Her hats are playful, colorful, powerful, and surprising. What is special is that the hats do not stand alone. Each piece rests on a specially made stand, which is an inseparable part of the artwork. Branches, bark, and sometimes rubber together form a natural base that allows the hat to grow, as it were, out of its surroundings. In the hats themselves, Bekkers uses materials such as whalebone and taffeta, which provide tension, form, and elegance. Lately, she has also been exploring a new direction with caps, in which a subtle connection remains with her sculptural hats.

Jacobine Bekkers' work has previously been exhibited at Museum Mug in Gemert and at Geldrop Castle, among other venues. She also created hats for Prinsjesdag.