Collection: Susannah Mira

I began my "New Moons" series last year at the onset of the pandemic using remnant fabric from a previous large commission. The ability to develop ideas and experiment throughout months of self-isolating felt both like a new discovery and a constant companion, hence the reference in each of the works’ titles to heavenly bodies. They evolved from monotone constructions to include the pieces submitted for review, which incorporate a spectrum of unsellable remnant fabric donated by an online felt retailer.

Utilizing unwanted material has been part of my artistic practice for over a decade and what appeals to me about it is not only the ecological component, but also that from constraint comes innovation. For example, I would have never premeditated any of the color combinations in these works without having the limited quantities and hues of the scrap stash right in front of me.

As far as my process, I often joke that I have made a career out of folding, stuffing, stacking, and stringing, with "New Moons" a prime example of the first two. From sea slugs to galaxies, the resultant waves and bubbles emulate core forms of the natural world. On display, these artworks add an organic dimension to the rectilinear character of the built environment, offering a portal to what lies outside, great and small.

Instagram: @susannahmira