Debora Westra is a maker and educator. She creates figurative worlds where recognizable and abstract elements come together. Her work invites viewers to lose themselves in imaginative landscapes that feel both familiar and surprising. Initially, her focus was on commercial illustrations, but recently she has traded her brush for a tufting machine. She now "paints" with wool, exploring the possibilities of both 2D and 3D works.

She is fascinated by the tactile quality of wool, the origins of the material, and the storytelling power of carpets. Textiles, to her, feels like carriers of history, identity, and culture. Through her work, she aims to tell a story that resonates with people and invites them to discover new worlds.  

Debora teaches illustration at Minerva Art Academy in Groningen, Netherlands, with a focus on experimentation and collaboration in her art practice. In partnership with TextielHub, she is exploring innovative ways to work with reused textiles, aiming to promote a circular economy in textile production.    


︎ deborawestra@gmail.com       

︎ +31 622 375 370


Nominated for the ‘Academy Minerva Design Award 2018’ and
‘Art&Research Award 2022’.
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