The ocean has always been incredibly inspiring. Its vastness evokes a sense of mystery, awe and wonder, while its tranquillity and serenity provides a place of solace and reflection. Home to a remarkable array of marine life, from colourful coral to majestic whales and other exotic creatures, it’s not surprising it has sparked the imagination of so many textile artists.
As the world’s largest ecosystem, the ocean plays a crucial role in supporting life and providing valuable resources. But as the climate crisis intensifies, textile artists are beginning to make more conscientious art in a bid to raise awareness and preserve this amazing aquatic richness that we fear may someday be lost. Take a look at the sheer diversity of the ocean through these Textile Artists Inspired by the Ocean.
Don’t forget to check out our other blogs in the Artists you Have to Follow Series.
Textile Artists Inspired by the Ocean
1. Katherine (KQ Creates)
Sheffield based mixed media and stumpwork artist, Katherine – kq_creates – is inspired by her love of photography, travel and nature. In her collection you’ll find dreamy river scenes, gorgeous idyllic beaches, and realistic wriggling octopuses that appear to be climbing off her embroidery hoop. We don’t know much about this artist but if you want a lesson in colour, realism, detail and composition, then she is definitely one to follow.
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Instagram
2. Mariko Kusumto
Mariko Kusumoto is a Japanese-born artist known for her unique and intricate textile artwork. Kusumoto’s art often blurs the boundaries between sculpture, jewellery, and textile art. She employs various materials, such as fabric, silk, wire, and beads, to construct intricate and organic forms that resemble flowers, sea creatures, or whimsical abstract shapes. She refers to these as ‘observational phenomena’ that stimulate her mind and senses.
One of Kusumoto’s notable techniques is the use of transparent and translucent materials, which allow light to pass through her pieces. This adds an ethereal quality to her artwork, creating an interplay of light and shadow that enhances the overall visual impact. Her attention to detail and precision result in remarkably delicate and intricate textures that invite viewers to explore her creations up close.
3. Vanessa Barragão
Vanessa Barragão is a Portuguese artist known for her stunning textile artworks, particularly her crochet corals. With a strong focus on environmental conservation, Barragão’s work aims to raise awareness about the fragile beauty of coral reefs and the importance of protecting our oceans.
Barragão’s crochet corals are intricate and meticulously crafted textile sculptures that replicate the delicate forms and textures found in coral reefs. Using a combination of crochet and various textile techniques, she painstakingly recreates the vibrant colours and intricate structures of coral formations. By employing a range of yarns, fibres, and textiles, Barragão captures the organic beauty and diversity of coral ecosystems.
What sets Barragão’s crochet corals apart is her commitment to sustainable practices. She sources materials from textile factories and recycling centres, repurposing discarded fabrics and threads to create her artwork. This not only adds a unique tactile quality to her pieces but also reflects her ethos of reducing waste and promoting eco-conscious creativity.
4. Lynnette Griffiths & Erub Arts
Lynnette Griffiths is an Australian textile artist, educator and a founder of Erub Arts; an Indigenous art collective based on Erub (Darnley) Island in the Torres Strait, Queensland. Erub Arts is renowned for their innovative use of recycled materials and their unique approach to storytelling through textile art. Together they draw their inspiration from the surrounding ocean and reef to create fascinating large scale installations created entirely from discarded fishing nets (ghost nets). Rather than allowing these nets to harm marine life and pollute the environment, the artists transform them into vibrant, intricate textile sculptures and installations. This process not only repurposes the nets but also raises awareness about the environmental impact of marine debris and the importance of sustainable practices.
Griffiths has been instrumental in promoting and preserving the cultural heritage of the Torres Strait Islander people through her art. She draws inspiration from the rich traditions, stories, and natural beauty of her community, incorporating these elements into her textile creations.
5. Christine and Margaret Wertheim
Christine and Margaret Wertheim are Australian sisters who are artists, writers, and science communicators. They are known for their ground-breaking project called the Crochet Coral Reef, which combines art, craft, and science to raise awareness about the plight of coral reefs and the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems.
The Crochet Coral Reef, which they began in 2005, is a large-scale, collaborative art installation that replicates the intricate forms and textures of coral reefs using crocheted yarn and other materials. It began as a response to the destruction of the Great Barrier Reef and has since grown into a global phenomenon with satellite projects and exhibitions around the world.
Through the Crochet Coral Reef, the Wertheim sisters engage communities in hands-on participation, inviting people of all backgrounds to contribute crocheted coral pieces. This collaborative approach not only creates a visually stunning artwork but also fosters a sense of connection and collective responsibility for the environment.
Follow the Crochet Coral Reef Project
Website
6. Sandra Meech
Sandra Meech is a renowned textile artist known for her textile art inspired by the Ocean, more specifically, the Arctic poles. In her textile Arctic poles artwork, Sandra Meech captures the essence of the Arctic landscapes and the unique culture of the indigenous people who inhabit those regions. Through a combination of various textile techniques, including piecing, appliqué, embroidery, and layering, she creates visually stunning and emotionally evocative pieces.
Meech’s artwork portrays the vast icy landscapes, the rugged beauty of glaciers, and the intricate details of Arctic wildlife. Her use of colour, texture, and pattern reflects the starkness and delicacy of the Arctic environment.
7. Ellen Anderton
A graduate from Nottingham Trent University, Ellen Anderton is a digital embroidery and designer. In 2022, her study of our adapting oceanic life reacting to climate change, aptly named ‘Enlarged Obscurity’, secured her a 3rd place winner of the Hand and Lock Prize.
Having lived by the coast and through extensive research of Coral bleaching as a result of rising sea temperatures, Ellen was inspired to create digitally embroidered skeletal coral with contrasting vibrant living aquatic life to emulate the forms of our adapting oceanic life. It is a spectacular wearable sculpture bringing wide attention to the devastation the climate crisis is having on our oceans.
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Instagram
8. Alison Holt
UK based contemporary artist, Alison Holt specialises in freehand machine embroidery. Her crashing waves and dreamy ocean scenes demonstrate her exceptional skill in creating realistic and intricate embroideries. With a background in fine art and textile design, Holt combines her artistic vision with a meticulous attention to detail to produce stunning textile representations.
Through her skilful use of textiles and thread, she invites us to imagine what diverse and awe-inspiring wonders lies beneath the depths of the ocean.
9. Aude Bourgine
In 2014, French Artist, Aude Bourgine began an incredible long-term project called Lungs of the Oceans. Created from recycled materials, her series features intricate sculptures of beautiful coral which are often displayed in glass jars; a way to preserve these precious treasures.
Bourgine’s artistic practice is deeply rooted in her connection to nature and her interest in spirituality. Her works often convey a sense of harmony and balance, emphasising the interconnectedness of all living beings. By exploring themes of transformation, renewal, and interconnectedness, she invites viewers to contemplate the deeper meaning of life and our place within the larger cosmic tapestry.
10. Josè Dammers
Dutch Crochet artist, Josè Dammers creates vibrant, abstract portraits and other free form pieces. Although her work doesn’t exclusively focus on the ocean, a lot of her work is either displayed on the beach, leading us to believe that it’s a great source of inspiration for her.
Scanning through her work you will notice that a lot of her portraits are often draped, wrapped and entwined with aquatic, marine life. You’ll often see sprawling colourful corals and shimmering shells in these stunning ocean inspired pieces.
Follow Josè Dammers
Instagram
Eira Teufel (Bonus)
Eira Teufel’s embroidery art is next level. Her pieces are intricate, detailed and always hyper realistic. Although she stitches a range of things; from animals to motifs, and earrings to eyeballs, it’s her stunning sequin fish that we love. And the best bit? Most of her items are wearable keepsakes.
Follow her on Instagram
So, who is your favourite textile artist inspired by the ocean? Feel free to recommend your own artist by leaving a comment below.
3 Comments
All of the above images are amazing, it’s been a ‘feast for the eyes and soul’ .
A big thank you to all the artists
Glad you like it Bev. Thanks so much
Beautiful, amazing and inspiring work.