This spring, we are hosting Olivia Géraud, international winner of the ETA award at the BIEN 2025 Textile Art Biennial. Olivia is a French textile and visual artist working between Paris and Le Havre in Normandy.

She trained at the renowned Manufacture des Gobelins and identifies as a high-warp weaver. Her artistic practice is enriched by various media, including embroidery, etching, and drawing. Her work is characterized by an interest in technical challenges and a discreet humor that stems from a desire to push the boundaries of traditional forms, highlight overlooked themes, and combine diverse sources of inspiration. Recently, she has focused on combining techniques and incorporating collected objects into hybrid, narrative works.

Accompanying events:

Saturday, 25th 4. 2026, Meeting point: in front of Layer House
11:00 – Collecting driftwood and local materials in the Kokra River canyon with Olivia Géraud

Event registration: bien@layer.si

Monday, 4. 5. 2026, Layer House, Kranj
– 5:00 PM – Talk about residency programmes and their experiences with the artists: Olivia Géraud (FR), Kristi Komel (SI), Dominika Gacka (PL) and Julia Piekarska (PL)
– 7:00 PM – Exhibition opening: New Tissue, an exhibition of contemporary weaving, artists: Olivia Géraud (FR), Kristi Komel (SI), Dominika Gacka (PL) and Julia Piekarska (PL)

The residency is supported by the Culture Moves Europe programme.
The exhibition is part of the BIEN 2026 programme, supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia.
Photo: Céline Zed, artist’s archive