Faith Wilding
A research page on Fibre installation artist, Faith Wilding, an inspiration displaying my work in an installation setting.
Faith Wilding is an eco-feminist and spiritual fine artist. Her work aims to connect the human body to nature, especially in the 'Crocheted Environment' sculptural installation. This installation has informed how I think about displaying my work in the degree show, to create an immersive environment that reconnects the individual with nature, in a multi-sensory setting.
The fact that the crocheted piece has filled the space and enclosed it provides an inviting and comforting atmosphere, especially with the material choice of soft fibre. I would like to cover the corners of my space, so that the piece doesn't appear flat and almost envelops the viewer into the work. I believe that displaying my work away from the walls will also invite the viewer to move around, interact and touch the fibres, reforming a connection between human and nature, much like Wilding's work successfully achieved.
Her use of the crochet technique moves beyond small objects and clothing to become architectural. The idea of taking such a domestic or 'women's craft, such as crochet or weaving and placing it in a fine art setting also challenges the norms of art, which was dominated by men. This is also done by creating an architectural sculpture using a soft material. The material choice also introduces themes of fragility, warmth, tactility and intimacy, which can also be used to describe nature.
Slow and handcrafted techniques are also important, as it rebels the idea of industrialisation and mechanisation, which is harmful and disconnected from nature, another male-dominated industry. I never considered that my work could have feminist connotations until researching Faith Wilding, which is an important conversation in society. By connecting themes such as feminism and landscape through the interlacing of threads, my work can reconnect humans to nature, in order to restore it.
Photographs and Artwork by Faith Wilding