In 2025 ellis became a member of Arti & Amicitiea, an art society in the city of Amsterdam. And from April 10 till May 10 2026 here work as community Artist is exposed in the new members exposition!
During the exposition, everyone is invited to knit, weave, knot and participate in completing the fence in Ukrain colours.
Here is the text used in the expo:
For 15 years we knitted, crocheted, wove and embroidered throughout the city of Amsterdam: a selection of photos of what we gifted to the city of Amsterdam — together with many creating for public space, making the often cold, harsh city a bit warmer and bringing intimacy to the streetscape. With patience and attention, we worked together to make the city look different and gave people in the city a moment to look at their own surroundings anew — like a small, warm, personal wink in a sometimes big, busy and cold urban experience. What’s beautiful about all these projects is the act of holding on to something — a concept or a result — and being able to let it go again: that it becomes different than imagined, gets damaged, disappears or is stolen, but above all is deeply appreciated. And the wonderful conversations that took place during and around the knitting and installing on location.
Amsterwarmertje a tribute to an icon that is sadly disappearing from our streets. Besides appearing in various public places, it was once also displayed in the Amsterdam Museum.
(these are actually called Amsterdammertjes ; )
The Bridge at the Eye 01, 02 & 03 a bridge represents transition — the act of crossing. We chose the bridge near the Eye Filmmuseum and wrapped it for years: Theme 01 – 50 shades of grey: things are not black or white; there are beautiful nuances worth noticing. Theme 02 – all colours matter.
Theme 03 – warm colours of love and sorrow, an ode to love and to the grief of losing several of our knitters… A tribute to our dear Juul, the fastest and most cheerful knitter of all. And a tribute to clever, sweet Gerdur, with us from the very beginning, who taught us Icelandic knitting. And another tribute to the fanatic fan Alice from afar — so far from the south. Sadly, all no longer with us here, but always in our thoughts.
Mobile Zebracrossing A zebra crossing is also about crossing — a transition from one side to the other, preferably safely. Some places lack a crossing, so we created a zebra crossing you can carry and roll out wherever it’s needed.
Trafficrules? Traffic signs, levers, poles and fences usually tell what you may NOT do and what you MUST do. We thought it could all be made a bit friendlier: to bring a smile to your face for a moment through colour, material, texture and contrast.
Softer & warmer art?! As a playful gesture and to draw extra attention to sculptures that are sometimes overlooked, we gave them a piece of clothing (or a head 😉 Soft chains as a soft protest against planned tree felling
Nature in the city We completed many other projects as well, such as: 1 – Amsterdam 750-year celebration 2 – An attempt at the world record for knitting a picnic blanket 3- Adding permanent leaves to trees 4 -Our Valentine’s tree full of hearts
Work in progress…A plea for peace. The Ukrainian flag colors on a fence in the “gedempte Begijnsloot” just here around the corner of Arti & Amicitiea. Will you help us complete? Bring materials, or contribute in action: weave, knit, knot, embroi your contribution to peace. So please, lend us a hand here at the expo: Try a bit of knitting — no stress or bring us some textiles, yarn or knit your own street full 😉
Breiwerkwest
With special thanks to Sandra Claesen and Jacqueline Verheugen for starting so many fun and beautiful things together. Photography: Els Zweerink, Goos Bronkhorst and ellis bartholomeus
community maker: ellis bartholomeus – insta: @breiwerkwest
