Paderborn University and the Faculty of Arts and Humanities mourn the loss of Professor Dr Iris Kohlhoff-Kahl, who passed away on 3 February at the age of 61. "Mrs Kohlhoff-Kahl's death leaves a great gap at our institution due to her great commitment to her subject area and students. However, we are certain that her inspiration will continue to have an impact on our institution for a long time to come," said Prof Dr Dr Oliver Reis, Dean of the Faculty.
An obituary by Prof. em. Dr Jutta Ströter-Bender, Dr Sybille Wischolek and Nina Lindlahr
"It is with deep regret that the Institute of Art/Music/Textiles and in particular the Department of Didactics and Textile Education bid farewell to an outstanding textile educator and scholar who has had a lasting impact on our understanding of textile art, education and mediation. Prof Dr Iris Kolhoff-Kahl leaves behind an impressive legacy that extends internationally far beyond the boundaries of her department.
Prof Dr Iris Kolhoff-Kahl, who was a deputy professor from 1998 and Professor of Textile Design and its Didactics and Fashion-Textile Design Education from 1999 to 2023, was not only a passionate university teacher, but also an innovative researcher who worked tirelessly to promote and emphasise the importance of textile education, the existence of textiles as a subject area in schools and creative forms of expression. Her work on the connection of interdisciplinary levels in textile and art education has inspired generations of students, teachers and doctoral students and motivated numerous colleagues to break new ground in textile education. She was tireless in her search for 'blind spots' for her subject area and courageous in 'brushing existing patterns against the grain'.
In her more than 20-year career at Paderborn University, she led countless conferences, workshops, seminars and projects at the interface between research, teaching and study, in which she shared her extensive knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject area with others. Prof Dr Iris Kolhoff-Kahl was known for her ability to make complex concepts understandable and to encourage her students to find their own creative voices and scientific paths.
In addition to her teaching activities, Prof. Dr. Iris Kolhoff-Kahl was also a sought-after speaker at international conferences and authored numerous publications that are considered standard works in textile pedagogy. Her didactics of "Aesthetic Pattern Formations" (2009), in which she managed to work through textiles for universities, schools and life in general in the intertwined contexts of everyday life, cultural studies and art, is particularly noteworthy. Her commitment was groundbreaking.
Prof Dr Iris Kolhoff-Kahl will not only be remembered as a scholar and educator, but also as a devoted mentor and warm-hearted friend. Her unwavering belief in the potential of each individual, her ability to motivate and inspire others, and the extraordinary generosity with which she shared her ideas and creative impulses will live on in the hearts of those who had the privilege of working with her.
We mourn the loss of an extraordinary personality whose passion and dedication to the subject area of textiles will remain unforgotten. Her legacy will continue to inspire generations of educators and she will always hold a special place in the world of the textile subject area."
This text was translated automatically.
