Leave the Windows Open on your Way out

Hand-printed wall tapestry accompanied by a hand-crafted dress created for my senior thesis exhibition

I live in an old house with a leaking ceiling and windows that are painted open. I have learned to tolerate all of the critters and creepy crawlies that like to set up camp in my bedroom. My once “sacred” space has since been (tastefully) overrun by my growing plant addiction and my new insect roommates. I've learned to work with my environment and not against it and this tapestry is my proof. I wanted to create something that brings the outdoors inside. 

By using linoleum block prints and thrifted linen curtains, I combined my love for textile design with my green thumb to create a quilt that captures all of the life within my little bedroom. I chose to play with negative space to emphasize the dichotomy of both indoor and outdoor spaces. Each square contains an image of either an insect or an organic pattern found in nature as well as within my room. As my bedroom was my inspiration, I wanted to make sure that my work was something that not only could be created within my room using accessible materials and techniques but could also then be displayed within the space. My tapestry is a glimpse into my passions: textiles, plants, and curating a space so inviting that even the bugs feel welcomed.