What if we cleaned sheep wool in the middle of Amsterdam?
About the Project
Wool and the City is part of a larger research project Unearthing Wool by artist Solkin Keizer.
Over the past year, I collected over 120 kilos of raw wool across the Netherlands, meeting farmers, shepherds, and hobby-keepers, and learning about the animals, their care, and the shearing process.
Now the focus shifts to the cleaning phase. Most Dutch wool is currently burned or exported, even though it holds enormous value. I am exploring traditional and sustainable cleaning methods – especially fermentation (suint method) – and testing whether these processes can also take place in the middle of the city. Without the right infrastructure in the city, the question becomes: can we clean wool together, as a community?
By placing small wool-fermentation vats in gardens and public spaces, Wool and the City connects the countryside and the city, farmers and neighbors, craft and experimentation.
Why It Matters
- Most raw wool in the Netherlands is treated as waste.
- Traditional fermentation uses no chemicals — only water and the wool’s own natural properties.
- The leftover water becomes a natural fertilizer for gardens.
- The project explores how we can treat natural materials as shared resources, even in urban environments.
Follow the Process
Updates, photos, and documentation will be shared here and on Instagram: @wool.and.the.city
Status: Currently testing fermentation vats in local gardens. Want to host one? Contact me at: solkin@solkinkeizer.com
