Embroidery (2020 - ongoing)
Embroidery is a skill that my mother taught me in the early weeks of my recovery from a 13-level spinal fusion surgery, which was performed to halt the progression of my severe scoliosis. While embroidery began as a way to keep my hands busy and mind distracted from the physical pain and boredom of a long, arduous recovery, it became a deeply important part of my art practice. From 2020-2022, the subject matter of my embroideries were heavily concentrated on my own body, and utilized reference images captured before, during, and after my spine surgery. Some of the embroidered compositions include: sparse gestures of my body pre-surgery in positions that I would not be able to recreate after surgery, tightly cropped vignette of my shoulder blades and the scar running down my back between them, and depictions of the surgery itself, with source video captured by a camera in the operating room of the teaching hospital. The limited color palette of these embroideries reference skin, blood, bone, iodine, hospital scrubs, and the absence of color in medical scans. In addition to cotton and thread, many of these pieces incorporate other materials, such as ink, fabric paint, fabric pastel, and paper.
After my mother passed away in late 2023, I inherited her beautiful collection of fabrics and textile scraps that she had used to create dozens of stunning appliqué and embroidery compositions. I began working with her fabrics as a way to feel closer to her, utilizing the stitches she taught me. Through honoring and channeling her spirit, my embroidered compositions have become much more colorful and bright, too.
After my mother passed away in late 2023, I inherited her beautiful collection of fabrics and textile scraps that she had used to create dozens of stunning appliqué and embroidery compositions. I began working with her fabrics as a way to feel closer to her, utilizing the stitches she taught me. Through honoring and channeling her spirit, my embroidered compositions have become much more colorful and bright, too.
A Dream Only My Body Remembers, 2021. Cotton, felt, embroidery thread, fabric paint, ink. 18 ½” x 11
Twist (Before), 2021.
Paper, felt, cotton, thread, ink.
13 ¾” x 10 ¾”
|
Scar (After), 2020. Felt, fabric, fabric pastel, thread. 9 ¼” x 11 ¾”
|
Arch (Before), 2021. Cotton, felt, embroidery thread, ink.
12” x 8”
|
Resting Pose (Before), 2021. Cotton, felt, embroidery thread, ink. 17 ½” x 12 ¼ ”
|
Seated Pose (Before), 2021. Cotton, felt, embroidery thread, ink.
17 ½” x 12 ¼ ”
|
Layers Deep (During), 2020. Felt, fabric, embroidery thread. 9” x 12 ¼”
X-ray (Before), 2020. Paper, felt, cotton, thread, ink.
14 ¼” x 10”
|
Vertebra Exposed (During), 2020. Cotton, felt, thread, fabric pastel. 9 ¼” x 12 ¾”
|
Right Bending (Before), 2021. Paper, felt, cotton, embroidery thread, ink, charcoal. 14 ½” x 11 ¼”
|
Is this my body? (After), 2020. Cotton, felt, thread, ink. 14 ¼” x 10”
|
Left Bending X-Ray (Before), 2021. Paper, felt, cotton, embroidery thread, ink.
10” x 14”
|
Shoulder Blades (Before), 2021. Paper, felt, cotton, thread, ink. 15” x 14 ¾”
|
Pedicle Screws (After), 2021. Paper, felt, cotton, thread, ink.
14” x 10 ½”
|
Imperfections, 2023. Embroidery thread, cotton fabric, felt. 18” x 12”
|
Blueprints (Before), 2022. Cotton, felt, ink, fabric marking pen, fabric pastel, thread. 18” x 12”
|
The Operating Field, 2020-2023. Cotton, fabric pastel, fabric pen, embroidery thread, felt.
35 1/2" x 24''
You've Got A Friend, 2025.
Fabric and embroidery thread on cotton, felt. 23" x 29"