Connected, Cohered, Conjoined

2022

Crocheted woollen yarn, fleece, cotton and silk; dyed with eucalyptus bark, fungi and rhubarb roots with a soy mordent.

Installation dimensions variable.

This visual appreciation of Fungi, created using purely natural dyes and natural materials and crocheted in public places, explores the connections created between people within a society - reminiscent of the way fungal mycelium creates connections and forges communication between trees and plants. Stitched into this artwork are the emotions of many individuals who were willing to share their personal connection to crochet or other crafts simply because they saw another individual in the process of creation in a public space. The aesthetics of care are thoroughly interrogated; care for the environment, care for connections with community and with people, care for stories and memories shared over the act of crocheting. An unexpected element of self-care is subtly interwoven as well, as the artist was involved in continual creative and communicative action through the creation of the piece which enabled a disruption of self-isolating behaviour.

The importance of care and community is well understood - Connected, Cohered, Conjoined demonstrates a unique method of interrogating these familiar concepts.