Embracing the Mandorla: Fiber Art that Connects Worlds

Winter 2023 was when I really became enchanted with fiber art. I believe this came from years of being in the company of felt sheets. As an early childhood educator, felt seems like an ever-present material. I’ll share more about the evolution of my work in fiber art in a separate post. Here, I want to focus on a collection of pieces. These proved to be key in what I now know to be a shift in not only my artistic practice but also my way of thinking about the world.

In this collection of wearable and displayable fiber art altars, I explore the intersection of the metaphysical and the material world. Each piece serves as a portal. It invites the viewer or wearer to step into a space of reflection. There is intention and spiritual connection. The designs are inspired by the concept of the mandorla. This symbol represents the overlap between two worlds. It is often depicted as a vesica piscis in sacred geometry. Historically, the mandorla has been used in art to represent the convergence of the divine and the earthly. It is often seen in medieval and Renaissance religious iconography as a frame for Christ or other holy figures.

In my work, the mandorla becomes a gateway to the unseen, a bridge between the mundane and the mystical. This symbolism is amplified by the use of variscite, known for its metaphysical properties. Variscite, a stone of courage and healing, grounds the work, offering a sense of stability and calm.

The fiber elements of the altars are crafted from DMC Eco-Vita thread and natural wool. These materials are chosen for their sustainability. They have a strong connection to the earth. This wool is 100% organic and non-mulesed. It has been dyed using infusions of natural ingredients. Examples include walnut, rhubarb, indigo, and juniper. The Eco-Vita thread symbolizes the cycle of life and rebirth. The natural wool provides warmth and texture. It embodies the nurturing qualities of the earth.

An altar is a sacred space. It is a tangible expression of the liminal. This is where the physical and the spiritual converge. It is also where the past and the present meet. Through this collection, I aim to create art that not only adorns. It also invokes a deeper connection to the energies that flow through and around us. This opens portals to new realms of understanding and being.