Weaving Toward Net Zero: Sophie Colline on Design, Waste, and Shared Responsibility

Sophie Colline has been awarded two Platinum Prizes at the Future Art & Design Award UK 2025 Winter Season.

Among the awarded works is Symbiosis – Weaving a Net Zero Life, which received the Platinum Prize in Product Concept Design, developed in collaboration with Tex Tile Enterprise Co., Ltd. (Taiwan).

Rooted in material reuse, philosophical reflection, and industry–academia collaboration, Symbiosis – Weaving a Net Zero Life transforms discarded textile scraps into a woven object that exists between furniture, blanket, and symbolic form. The project reframes waste not as residue, but as memory—questioning power, equality, and humanity’s shared responsibility toward the planet. Through craft, experimentation, and sustainable manufacturing research, the work proposes a future where design actively participates in ecological ethics and social reflection.

Q: What initially inspired this project? Was there a particular idea, moment, or question that sparked its creation?

Sophie:

In response to climate change, I have been collaborating with TEX TILE Enterprise Co., Ltd. (Taiwan) on industry-academia cooperation since 2022. The work was created in 2024 using waste fabric scraps provided by Dafang, and an invention patent has been applied for.

This design is inspired by the French philosopher Blaise Pascal (1623–1662), who famously said, “We will all die alone” (French: On mourra seul.). This means that each of us, rich or poor, will eventually leave this world. The curled carpet, resembling tree rings from above, reminds us of the immense damage that human-made waste and garbage cause to the environment, and that we must pay the price for our planet.

This woven fabric, when unfolded, lays flat like a blanket, and when rolled up, resembles a stool. Similar to rugs woven from scraps of cloth, it is reminiscent of many indigenous or African tribal rugs used in Central Asian countries. The overall design employs anthropomorphism, weaving discarded fabric into blanket-like curls of varying sizes to represent: the eventual return of chairs and stools, symbols of power and status, to an equal and coexisting relationship, and to the hope that we will once again confront the natural and genuine reality of life.

Q: What was the most exciting or most challenging aspect of bringing this work to life?

Sophie:

During the creation process, I first completed five samples by hand-weaving and then experimented with having schoolchildren use them in different settings (parks and indoors). The children could sit or lie down, creating a highly practical and harmonious atmosphere. This work will also be exhibited at the National Arts Education Center in Taiwan in December 2025. It is also scheduled to be exhibited at the Taichung Dadun Cultural Center in Taiwan in March 2026, and at the Kaohsiung Cultural Center in Taiwan in 2026.

This product uses discarded fabric edge (preliminary scrap) as raw material, the color cannot be selected, the thickness cannot be controlled, so we have reused the discarded fabric edge with textile machine as a new material, and study how to machine braid under the consideration of sustainability. I will continue to work with TEX TILE Enterprise Co., Ltd. (Taiwan) to continue towards the goal of merchandising.

Q: How was your experience taking part in the Future Art & Design Award UK?

Sophie:

This was my first time participating in the UK Future Art & Design Awards. I consulted the official website of the UK Future Art & Design Awards to learn about the professional design teams that had won awards in the past. I found many professional creations that inspired me to participate. I started preparing my entry materials three months before the exhibition. I am honored to have won two Platinum Awards in the Winter Competition with two works. Winning these awards will increase the potential for commercialization and contribute to promoting sustainability and corporate responsibility.

Sophie Colline

French and Taiwanese descent

Artiste and Designer

Associate Professor, Department of Industrial Engineering and

Systems Management, Feng Chia University

https://inde.fcu.edu.tw/en/teachers-detail/?id=T99056&unit_id=CE06

https://www.textiletwn.com/sustainability

EDUCATION

Ph.D. in Comparative Literature (Distinction: Très Honorable), Paris XII University,

France, 2007

Shoe Design, Accademia Riaci, Florence, Italy, 2016

DNSEP (Higher National Diploma of Plastic Expression), National School of Art (ENSA)

Bourges, France (Distinction: Jury's Highest Honors), 2001

DNAP (National Diploma of Plastic Arts), National School of Art (ENSA) Bourges, France

(Distinction: Jury's Highest Honors), 1999

Ph.D. Candidate in Comparative Literature, Paris XII University, France (Distinction: Très

Honorable), 1998

M.A. in Modern Literature, University of Burgundy (Dijon), France (Distinction: Très

Honorable), 1997

B.A. in French, Tamkang University, Taiwan, 1994

CERTIFICATION

Associate Professor Certificate, Ministry of Education, Taiwan, 2015

BCCEA (National Certificate for Business Partners in Craft Industries), France (Subjects:

Professional Secretarial Studies, Mass Communication, Business Strategy), 2004–2006

Bag Making Certificate, Footwear & Recreation Technology Research Institute (FRTRI),

Taiwan, 2020–2021

Bamboo Weaving Certificate, Tu Su-ying Bamboo Weaving Studio, 2018–2021

Footwear Construction Certificate, FRTRI, Taiwan, 2016–2019

Footwear Making Certification, Atelier des Chaussures Patricia Cruz, Paris, France,

2016–2017

In-plant Residency, NIKE R&D Center, Stella International Holdings, 2016

CURATED EXHIBITIONS

Visual Multimedia Arts Exchange Exhibition & International Seminar, Curator, ENSA

Bourges (France) & Toko University (Taiwan), 2008

HUMAN DOUB2T: Quartet of Human Nature, Curator, Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts (KMFA), Taiwan, 2004

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

"Knowledge is Symbiosis - Weaving Sustainability" at the Kaohsiung City Cultural

Center. Taiwan, June 2026

"Knowledge is Symbiosis - Weaving Sustainability" at the Dadun Cultural Center,

Taichung City, Taiwan, March 2026

"Symbiosis - Mortal Immortality" at the Chunyang Art Museum, Tainan City, Taiwan,

June 2025

"Symbiosis - Weaving a Net Zero Life" at the Meiling Art Museum, Chiayi County ,

Taiwan, April 2025

"Symbiosis - Weaving a Net Zero Life" at the National Arts Education Center , Taiwan,

December 29, 2024 - January 19, 2025

"Antidote for Life", Huashan 1914 Creative Park, Taipei, 2012

"Green Objects", Art-Tension, Bourges, France, 2011

"ENFLECHE (Prosperity/Lifting Upwards) ", Art-Tension, Bourges (Parallel to the 5th

Bourges Biennale), 2010

"SO-GO", Window Exhibition at Feng Chia University Internship Store, 2010

"Compil >>>>", Galerie Art-Tension (2nd Bourges Biennale), 2008

"SEG:MEN.TATION", Galerie Art-Tension, Bourges, France, 2004

"Forbidden Fruit", Shinanobashi Gallery, Osaka, Japan, 2000

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

“European Classical Elegance- Oil Paintings by Cheng Ying-bin & Shoes Design by

Sophie Colline”, Meiling Fine Arts Museum, Chiayi, 2018

"Flowers Bloom Naturally" - A Joint Exhibition by Hou Kun-Chin, Sophie Colline, Yin

Chen, iling Fine Arts Museum, Chiayi, 2017

3rd Bourges Biennale of Contemporary Art, Participating Artist, France, 2006

"Emotional Component", Artist-in-Residence Group Show, Taipei Artist Village, 2003

Jeune Création 2002, Grande Halle de la Villette, Paris, France, 2002

“Double-Talk”, Huashan Arts District, Taipei, 2002

Jury Prize (Prix du Jury), Young Creators Exhibition, Limôges, France, 2001