Muslin, beeswax, fiber reactive dye, polyfill
16”x15,5”x12”, 2021
Yolandi is part of the ’embrace failure bears,’ plush soft sculptures created from past failed Batiks’ fabric.
On the bottom of his feet, you can find the word AUSTIN. The fabric used for his feet, forehead, and midriff was a flag made for the exposition ‘Expedition Batik Back’ at Co-Lab Projects. Other elements of his body have been ice-dyed, wax-resist dyed, and sprinkle dyed.
It’s so easy to take yourself too seriously as an artist, lingering endlessly in concept and pre-drafting patterns, ideas, and technique combinations. Sometimes this leads to great work; sometimes, this leads to forgetting what brings you joy in making art.
My bears are a product of full self-forgiveness, created in this hard place between discovery and ultimate failure. I hope to expand this feeling of self-forgiveness and self-kindness to my viewer by changing my failing into a soft and huggable result.
