Since I moved to the Pacific Northwest almost 13 years ago, I have been fascinated by its lush natural environment. I have been especially moved by the gorgeous leafy-bushy lichens which I have never seen before.

 Lichens are composite organisms; the coexistence, or rather mutually beneficial symbiosis, of algae and fungi. The algae produces carbohydrates to feed the fungi. In exchange, the fungi provides protection for the algae while gathering and retaining moisture and nutrients from the atmosphere through rain and dust. This successful symbiosis can be found in almost every habitat and geographic region on the planet.

 Together, they become very slowly growing organisms, growing about 1 mm a year. Some lichens are considered among the oldest living organisms on Earth, with an estimated age of 9-10,000 years.

 Among the over 20,000 different lichen species, the shrubby and leafy lichens are the most sensitive to environmental disturbances, and as such they are very accurate bio-indicators of air pollution.

 Lichens may grow in various shapes and pattern and can be quite beautiful in color, thus they are a great source of artistic inspiration.

 Last year I was honored to receive a grant from the City of Seattle’s Office of Arts and Culture. It allowed me to take some time and study these organisms, and explore how I can implement their organic shapes, textures and beautiful colors in handfelted textiles on a magnified scale.

 Just as the algae and the fungi support each other to emerge as a new inseparable organism, the silk fibers, silk fabrics, and the wool fibers in these works are merged by felting to form organically shaped structural pieces. The wool base supports the silk fabrics and through the shrinkage in the process, the silk provides beautiful, rich textures, color, and luster.

Rather than copying the lichens, my intention with my textiles was to evoke the sensation that one feels when they see or touch these organisms in the wild. I aws interested in representing the natural ambience of the Pacific Northwest in contemporary glass-metal-concrete office spaces, and making these spaces warm, relaxing, inviting, calm. 

I invite you to celebrate this great milestone of my career,
my first solo exhibit in Seattle,  hosted in the award-winning beautifully remodeled Labour Temple of Seattle.

Feltscapes : : Lichens 

Come join me on one of the upcoming second Friday
Belltown Art Walk:  March 14, 6-9 pm, or at the 

Artist Reception: March 20, 7-9 pm (RSVP is appreciated)

You can also visit the exhibit in the Labour Temple on weekdays, 8 am to 3 pm or by appointment

(please email to  andrea@wondercollectiveseattle.com)