About my work
Sandra Klowak (she/her) - Winnipeg/Treaty 1, Canada
I make art with human and pet hair, based on the historic craft of Victorian hairwork, which exploded in popularity during the 1800s. Hairwork was used to memorialize the dead as well as to celebrate friendship, romantic bonds and kinship between the living. The techniques I use are historic, but I bring my own modern perspective to this traditional art form.
Hair has the power to immortalize our bodies through art, and I'm honoured to be able to work with such an impactful medium to handcraft lasting keepsakes celebrating the loved ones of my clients.
I live in Winnipeg, Treaty 1 Territory, with my partner, young children and cat. In our spare time we enjoy exploring our province, camping and visiting its many amazing historic museums.
I'm passionate about preserving local history, and currently sit as chair of the board of Seven Oaks House Museum in Winnipeg.
Learn more about my work in this profile in the Winnipeg Free Press, on Episode 1 of the podcast Victorian Samplings and in my recent online lecture Hair in the Home: Tracing hairwork’s trajectory from professional service to domestic craft.
Teaching experience
- 2025 *upcoming* Hair art workshop, part of 1920s Garden Party at Spadina Museum, Toronto
- 2025 Victorian Hair Art Workshop, online, hosted by Iowa State University Museums
- 2025 Hair in the Home: Tracing hairwork’s trajectory from professional service to domestic craft, online lecture hosted by Iowa State University Museums
- 2021 Crafting Workshop: Hair Art, part of online lecture/workshop series Crafting Communities by the Victorian Studies Association of Western Canada (VSAWC)
- 2019 Hairwork workshop, Manitoba Museum, Winnipeg
- 2018 Hair Loomed Heirlooms: Using hair in creating art and mementos hairwork workshop, Dalnavert Museum, Winnipeg
- 2010 Knitting workshop, Manitoba Children’s Museum Arts Club, Winnipeg
- 2009 Wool spinning workshop, Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site, Manitoba