Artist’s statement:
In 2020, I was talking to a friend, who casually mentioned something to me that changed my entire way of working, “I’ve been romanticizing my life, so I can think back on stuff I’ve done with some fondness”. As a textile artist who creates garments, I hold this idea close to me, and put playful and interesting details in my works. My mother was a quilter and I spent my childhood going to quilt shows, listening to people point out the tiny details and intricate elements they put in their work because it caused them joy. Romanticizing functional items and creating extraordinary out of the ordinary necessities is what drives me.The magic in textiles to me is in their practicality, as comfort items, as wearable objects to protect and cradle. I think that comfort goes below the surface, and not only do clothes have to be comfortable to wear, they should be comforting mentally.
Textile work is naturally soothing, the repetitive motion of watching the needle go in and out of the fabric is meditative to me. The small motions of the machine moving, and the slow progress of machine knitting and weaving are directly linked to everyday joys to me--I feel so much joy in little things in life, and create these clothes based on my small wonders.
There are no joys too mundane to celebrate- whether that be carrots, collage illustrations, glam rock album covers, or flowers you see on your way to work. I’m a maximalist to my core, and surround myself with collected trinkets and items--the clothes I create are extensions of this habit. I use brightly colored fabric applique motifs (such as vegetables or farmland), and embroidered elements to enhance the playful nature of the clothes. I don’t like to take myself or my work too seriously; my end goal is to make people slow down and smile at the garments.
Romanticizing my life, and slowing down in between the business of the everyday creates peaceful moments for my work. It’s unapologetically selfish. It's a gratitude diary, a love letter from me to the shells hidden between the pebbles on the beach.