Gina Niederhumer’s Needlework Art

PHOTOS Vanessa Cowling, Leah Hawker and Gina Niederhumer WORDS Debbie Loots

Creating art through needlework is Gina Niederhumer’s way to make sense of her life and feel closer to her family in Austria.

Growing up in Austria and moving to South Africa 35 years ago had a profound effect on artist Gina Niederhumer.

A need to understand and “repair” something about her childhood found expression in her fine art master’s exhibition at Michaelis, Mend, and in Portrait of a Needlewoman, a solo exhibition that followed at Mogalakwena Gallery in Cape Town.

“During the past 10 years I’ve used my family history in my art-making process – how things are connected and how it made me who I am today,” says Gina. “I come from a needleworking family, so choosing needlework as a medium seemed only natural to me – it’s a way to feel closer to them.”

Today, Gina lives and works in Muizenberg, where she runs Gina’s Studio in the suburb’s historical precinct. 

“What started as a personal studio space is a hive of activity these days,” says Gina. “People used to knock on my door asking when I will be open, so eventually I did it!”

The shop showcases the work of about 35 designers and makers. Gina handpicks everything: origami works, hand-dyed wool wrist-warmers, fabric dolls… She supports local, natural and recycled products, and work that benefits outreach projects.

Says Gina, “When we admire a skilled piece of needlework, we are also seeing a camouflaged slice of a person’s life.”