Belit Sağ

Remembering Otherwise 

In her solo exhibition ‘Remembering Otherwise’, Turkish artist Belit Sağ presented a monumental Jacquard-woven tapestry in which archival research is translated into a tactile and visual narrative. Measuring 7 by 3.5 metres, the work brings together fragmented archival material relating to a labour dispute in 1978 in Veghel, involving female workers with a migration background from Turkey. Sağ’s choice of textile references the Turkish tapestry tradition and connects to the repetitive, physical work of peeling onions that the women carried out at the time. Through the intensive weaving process, she reflects that physical labour and gives the women a voice once more. 

The work is based on a collage of drawings and is characterised by rich colouration and layered structures. She added a transparent, finely woven netting over certain areas of the image, creating variations in texture and depth. The women placed at the centre are rendered with precision and tactility, while other areas are more densely woven. For the piece, she used a range of yarns, including polyester, organic cotton, acrylic, merino wool, and recycled PET. 

Sağ exhibited the tapestry from 2 October to 12 November 2025 at Framer Framed (Stadsloket Amsterdam Oost) and it will be on display at OBA De Hallen in Amsterdam from 17 January until the end of March 2026. 

Photography by Belit Sağ