Originally I built a whole bunch of these fiber collage “eyes” and mounted them all in frames on different colored backgrounds.
Sometimes all things need a new set of eyes on them.
Some of them sold, some of them did not, and I decided to reclaim the frames for other projects, which left me with a stack of these eyes in a drawer, doing nothing, taking up space, and just generally not making me happy. So one day I got the idea to turn them into something else – and the ‘else’ in this case is an art quilt.
It’s called Facial Recognition and it is for sale at the moment, although that’s subject to change if it gets accepted into another in-person show that is coming up. More on that later.
This fiber piece explores the themes of identity, surveillance, and perception in the modern age.
Each eye is an individual construction, meticulously formed from upcycled and repurposed appliqué pieces that were lovingly reworked before being stitched together into this singular, unified composition.
The materials add a compelling textural layer, incorporating elements like raw-edged burlap, vibrant fabric scraps, and soft fur that give each gaze a unique personality.
The overall structure beautifully contrasts the uniform grid quilting with the wildly expressive, complex nature of the eyes it contains. This large-scale textile work makes a profound statement about being seen and seeing others.
The eyes utilize a variety of textures and materials, including:
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Dimensional Eyebrows: Raised, fur-like textures that add physical depth.
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Abstract Irises: Geometric fabric scraps in various shades of blue, green, and red.
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Structural Eyelashes: Sharp, protruding black lines that create a mechanical or synthetic aesthetic.
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Grid Framework: Heavy black vertical and horizontal lines suggest a coordinate system or a digital interface.