Meet US
Crafts that Unite, Heal, and Last
Powered by youth, led by Ludmila Christeseva
Ludmila Christeseva is an accomplished artist and curator, recognized for her commitment to amplifying female voices in the arts through various international projects.
In 2022, she courageously proclaimed, “I do not have the right to paint in the shadow of war!” Transforming her studio, Artten, into a refuge became an act of compassion—a sanctuary for displaced mothers and children from Ukraine.
Since then, Christeseva has led public textile workshops with a focus on producing camouflage nets to contribute to saving lives in Ukraine. Her initiative has resonated globally, illustrating powerful patterns of compassion, sisterhood, solidarity, and a shared desire for peace. Today, it stands recognized as a textile movement for peace, named “Crafts that Unite, Heal, and Last.” Weaving with Christeseva has evolved into a means for many people who have lost homes and families to discover new friendships and find support for new hopes, dreams, possibilities, and overall well-being.
In 2023, Ludmila founded the NGO Artten Foundation, continuing her mission to weave for positive societal change. Diverse activities unfold at her artist studio on Artillerigatan 10 in Stockholm, hosting workshops, courses, and study circles.
Committed To Empowering Youth
A pivotal aspect of the Artten Foundation’s charitable endeavors is to empower youth participants by letting them organize and host public presentations at museums, fairs, and conferences. Our exhibitions and workshops are highly engaging, as we strive to exchange knowledge and experiences, contributing to the empowerment of women and children.
Committed To Empowering Women
Presentation
Ludmila Christeseva has developed a broad professional network in Sweden and abroad. In her curatorial work, she weaves together different actors and disciplines enabling women to meet and support each other. Her institutional exhibitions include Armemuseum, Livrustkammaren, Nordiska Museum, Swedish Embassies globally and collaborations with local cultural institutions.
In recognition of her significant impact and contributions in fostering inclusivity and allowing more people to experience the transformative power of art, Ludmila Christeseva was nominated for the Nelson Mandela Prize in 2023 & 2024. She won the prestigious Impact of the Year 2023 award by the IHM Impact Awards. Cementing her dedication to making a positive change through her artistic initiatives, she is also nominated for the 2024 Tällberg-SNF-Eliasson Global Leadership Prize.
PRESS
Gul&Blå: hela Sverige flätar, 2023
https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/har-ska-gamla-blagula-tyger-formas-till-protest-mot-kriget
Livrustkammaren 2023
https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/art-by-ukrainian-refugees-features-at-stockholm-design-week
https://viewstockholm.com/ludmila-christeseva/
Workshops at Artten Gallery 2022
https://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/stockholm/ukrainska-flyktningar-malar-agg-for-den-ortodoxa-pasken
Hantverk som räddar Liv
https://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/stockholm/stockholmare-tillverkar-kamouflagenat-for-den-ukrainska-armen
2016 Dagens Nyheter, Swedish daily newspaper. “Fashion wakes memories” http://www.dn.se/kultur-noje/konst-form/mode-vacker-minnen/
2016 Odalisque magazine, a publication about fashion and photography. “Remembering through clothes” by Anne van Beers. http://www.odalisquemagazine.com/articles/2016/06/04/remembering-through-clothes-written-by-anne-van-beers
2015 The Astana Times, “Swedish Artist Explores Cultural, Gender Evolution in Exhibit at Kulanshi Gallery”, Michelle Witte. http://astanatimes.com/2015/06/swedish-artist-explores-cultural-gender-evolution-in-exhibit-at-kulanshi-gallery/
2012 Idäntutkimus, journal for Eastern European Research, Finland.
http://www.helsinki.fi/idantutkimus/arkisto/2012_3/it_3_2012_christeseva.pdf
Read more on wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludmila_Christeseva