In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Iskren Lozanov.

Iskren Lozanov is an embroidery artist living in Ibiza, originally from Bulgaria. He came third in the 3d Textiles category of The 2025 Mr X Stitch Contemporary Needlework Prize and 2nd in the Open Textile Art category in the 2024 Hand & Lock Prize.

We talk about language and identity, Ibiza as a place to make work, and how Iskren Lozanov’s practice moved from fashion into embroidery and sculptural pieces like “Rebirth” and “Veil of Transcendence”, including the research, planning, and labour behind them.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 – Introduction

00:01:20 - Growing up in Bulgaria and cultural influences

00:05:42 - Moving to Ibiza and what draws him to the island

00:08:56 - Lozanov’s artistic journey from fashion to sculpture and embroidery

00:11:55 - Primitiveness and beauty in Lozanov’s work, blending ancient symbols with contemporary techniques

00:18:27 - The 'Veil of Transcendence' and exploring cultural afterlife symbols

00:23:05 - His experience in art competitions and building confidence

00:24:59 - Navigating social media and creating sustainable art practices

00:34:26 - The impact of learning and personal beliefs on his views of the afterlife

00:37:46 - Techniques inspired by Orthodox and Catholic iconography

Links:

Instagram: iskrenlozano

Website: iskrenlozanov.com

Intro music is Cyber Bazaar by HATAMITSUNAMI via Epidemic Sound.

About NeedleXChange

An artist interview podcast exploring contemporary embroidery and textile art. Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers.

Support on Patreon

Join the Green Room for weekly aftershows, monthly Q&As, and searchable transcripts.

Become an Executive Producer to join quarterly roundtables and shape the show's future.

patreon.com/c/xstitch/membership

Stay Connected

needl.exchange | Newsletter: bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNews

mrxstitch.com | xstitchmag.com

Social: Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube | LinkedIn

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Katarina Orolinov.

Katarina is a Slovakian contemporary embroidery and textile art artist known for laser-cut perspex panels built from lace and geometric pattern logic.

Katarina shares early making (drawing, sewing, textiles clubs) and a schooling route that builds serious technical range (embroidery, bobbin lace, weaving). We dig into heritage vs experimentation, studio life, what plays in the background while stitching, and the closing line: the dream upgrade is a laser cutting machine.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 – The origin story: drawing, sewing, and deciding on art early

00:01:25 – Learning the fundamentals: embroidery, lace, weaving (the whole toolbox)

00:03:50 – Choosing your path young: how the Slovak system works

00:09:00 – Getting into art university: tests, live models, and creative tasks

00:13:00 – Heritage, but make it future: what belongs in the work (and what doesn’t)

00:19:00 – Studio life: making for work, making for fun

00:20:10 – What’s on in the background while stitching

00:27:50 – Books and blackwork (Jane Goodwin)

00:32:20 – A personal note: summers with Katarina’s grandmother in a foster-care community

00:35:25 – The closer: “I don’t want that ring. I want a laser cutting machine.”

Links:

Instagram: katarina_orolinova_art

Intro music is Below Horizon by Luwaks via Epidemic Sound.

About NeedleXChange

An artist interview podcast exploring contemporary embroidery and textile art. Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers.

Support on Patreon

Join the Green Room for weekly aftershows, monthly Q&As, and searchable transcripts.

Become an Executive Producer to join quarterly roundtables and shape the show's future.

patreon.com/c/xstitch/membership

Stay Connected

needl.exchange | Newsletter: bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNews

mrxstitch.com | xstitchmag.com

Social: Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube | LinkedIn

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Katarina Orolinov.

Katarina is a Slovakian contemporary embroidery and textile art artist known for laser-cut perspex panels built from lace and geometric pattern logic.

Katarina traces the work from a bobbin‑lace brief into bitmap squares, then laser cutting/engraving perspex and stitching into it. We talk architecture as a pattern engine (glass blocks, safety glass, reflection), and the practical reality of scale: thousands of holes, modular panels, and machine‑bed limits.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 – “Come to the perspex…”: lace meets laser cutting

00:02:55 – Finding patterns in glass blocks and safety glass

00:04:31 – Reflection, infinity, and letting structure do the talking

00:06:10 – Close your eyes: what the work feels like in space

00:14:45 – The jump from small pieces to a wall

00:15:52 – 2000 holes: laser cut, but every hole placed by hand (digitally)

00:18:09 – Building it as 22 panels (and why that matters)

00:21:38 – The hard limits: machine beds and human arms

00:26:13 – One pattern, many techniques: knitting/weaving/needlepoint logic

Links:

Instagram: katarina_orolinova_art

Intro music is Below Horizon by Luwaks via Epidemic Sound.

About NeedleXChange

An artist interview podcast exploring contemporary embroidery and textile art. Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers.

Support on Patreon

Join the Green Room for weekly aftershows, monthly Q&As, and searchable transcripts.

Become an Executive Producer to join quarterly roundtables and shape the show's future.

patreon.com/c/xstitch/membership

Stay Connected

needl.exchange | Newsletter: bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNews

mrxstitch.com | xstitchmag.com

Social: Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube | LinkedIn