Maria Simonsson

Since a very early age, I have worked with textiles in one form or another - sewing, knitting, crocheting, weaving, dyeing, painting, embroidery, felting.... I ultimately felt I had found my perfect medium as a fiber artist when I discovered the traditional African wrapping technique using wire as a base and wrapping it with layers of fabrics that can be embellished by stitching, embroidery, beading or the addition of found objects. I have invented a modified version of this technique for my vessels. My ideas develop out of my own life experiences and personal history. I have recently started to use materials from nature as well as from my family history in the form of birch bark, hand forged old nails and fragments of old worn textiles. I am investigating how to make objects out of textiles and wire that are not usually seen in this medium.

I currently have a wonderful studio in the A Salon artists' co-operative in Takoma Park. I am also an Associate Artist at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, VA. (see links)

Submitted by Zenith Gallery