We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kaytee Papusza O’Brien. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kaytee below.
Alright, Kaytee thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
The risk for my current business has been choosing travel as a lifestyle. I have learned to find my path as a business woman and creative advocate nomadically for the past couple of years. Prior to COVID lockdown I started building the dream of launching my own textile business, based on the regions around the Black Sea, which I named Black Sea Textiles. The pursuit of this dream has required me to leave behind all the stability of conventional life, and start a new story – a story where I am constantly adapting to new countries, customs, languages and cultures. This is a chapter where I have largely walked away from myself as an artist, and towards many other incredible artists around the world. The intention is to elevate their beautiful work, and hopefully help them obtain new audiences and marketing opportunities; ideally enabling them to thrive.
Kaytee, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am an artist and designer who spent the first 15+ years of my career working in fashion, costume and textiles. I came to be passionate about the work through my combined love of design and culture. Over the years, as I acquired more experience in the industry, I developed a disdain for mass production and corporate greed. The result of this consumer driven market is constructed to undercut the valuable work of many amazing artists; artists whose work is often the basis and inspiration for the big brands and market trends that rule the mass production realm. I have repeatedly witnessed and encountered big brands appropriating tradition, culture and many amazing original works.
Observing the repeated exploitation of these original works motivated me to start the Black Sea Textiles project. The intention of Black Sea Textiles is to provide an alternative to mass market consumerism. The project elevates artists, while holding space for the traditional techniques that inspire them to breathe new life into these traditions. I’ve always had a great love of Eastern Europe and Eurasia, so focusing on the Black Sea and the regions connected to it feels like a really natural place to start this project. I work directly with many vendors, makers and artisans in these regions by foraging a space in the market for them to sell both streamlined products, as well as one of kind creations and unique vintage or antique items. The creatives I am advocating for represent a variety of different mediums – ranging from apparel and accessories, to those who restore carpets and other unique interior design items. If you are looking for attire or decor from any of the regions around the Black Sea, the Balkans or Greece I can help you find exactly what you desire.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
The greatest source that impacts the work I do is the artists I work with. This includes their histories, traditions and cultures. To me the most beautiful part of art and design is the source from which it comes. I love to learn the stories of the makers I work with, and in doing so I love to understand how this source of origin has helped to shape their perspectives. It is really beautiful to learn why creatives love and do what they do; be it a story connected to their family history, something that has helped them survive in life or just a simple technique that gives each of them inspiration. All cultures and traditions are tied to mythology and fairytales – I think there is so much magic in artists and designers having their own creation stories too.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
The most important thing that I have had to unlearn is that my perspective – cultural or otherwise – is in some way more correct than the perspectives of others. It is important to remember that people around the world come from different places. All of these places have their own associations with traditions, geopolitics, media, etc. There is a lot of value in understanding that when you are in someone else’s country, partaking in their cultures and traditions, you must respect their values and perspectives – even if they are values or perspectives that you do not necessarily agree with or understand. I think this is something a lot of Westerner’s struggle with… I know that I certainly have at times. However, just because we do not see things the same way does not mean that one point of view is right and the other one is wrong. If people had more tolerance for this it is possible the world might be a more peaceful place to live, and we all might feel a bit more accepted.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.blackseatextiles.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/black_sea_textiles/
Image Credits
Photos by Mano Svanidsze https://www.