Soft Sculpture: Transforming Fabric Scraps
I first fell in love with textiles when I was just 16, working as a fabric specialist at the now-defunct Rag Shop. That bolt of red velvet was what started it all for me - captivated by the endless possibilities of textures, colors, designs, and weights that could be created with fabric. And I was completely in awe of the people who could sew and bring those possibilities to life.
Over the years, my love affair with fabric led me to collect scraps, samples, and bolts, which I've been hauling around and storing away. But even with my large collection, the thought of cutting into the fabric always filled me with apprehension and fear of wasting it, especially if I didn't have a plan or the skills to sew it up properly. So, I just held onto my collection, waiting for the right moment.
When the moment finally came in 2022, I sat down to create my first soft sculpture - a flower. The design process for my soft sculptures is less structured and more about feel. I don't use patterns - I just cut the fabric and figure it out as I go. It's a method that works for me, even though I've had a difficult time committing to cutting the fabric.
I have a lot of fabric in my collection, and it's easy to feel scared about using up the full pieces that I have. But I remind myself that there is tons of fabric in the world, and that helps me overcome my apprehension. With each piece that I create, I'm gaining more confidence in my ability to cut and shape the fabric to create something beautiful.
Soft sculptures are typically made using supple and non-rigid materials such as cloth, foam rubber, plastic, paper, fibers, and similar materials. Artists like Claes Oldenburg and Yayoi Kusama popularized the art form in the 60s, creating large-scale fine art pieces that were not meant to be touched.
My soft sculptures are different. I aim to engage your sense of touch, which is why each piece is created with a different textured fabric. From a soft, plush velvet to a rough, burlap-like material, I want to bring a new dimension of sensory experience to my art. With each soft sculpture, I'm learning more about the possibilities of fabric and creating something that's not only beautiful but also tactile and engaging.
When we moved to upstate New York, I was enamored with the variety of flowers and colors. Each season had something different - purple crocus then yellow daffodils and tulips, then the forsythia and then the lilacs. I love flowers but have not been the most successful with growing them. As you can probably tell, I'm a "throw the seeds to the wind" kinda person. Anyways, I had been working on another collection about flowers from another planet using colored acrylic plastic. I cut the plastic and turned them into hanging flowers. It's still at its starting phases, but it inspired the soft sculpture flower.
Creating soft sculptures with a tactile twist is a way for me to explore the possibilities of fabric and bring a new sensory experience to my art. Each piece is a labor of love, and I'm excited to continue experimenting with different textures, colors, and designs. Who knows where this journey will take me - all I know is that I'm happy to be surrounded by my beloved textiles, creating something beautiful and engaging for others to enjoy.
