Gathered: Sustainable Textile Collage by Tess Martin
Gathered is the corner of The Salon where we feature poetry, personal essays, & other creative pieces
The Pavillion by Tess Martin
Textile artist Tess Martin weaves scrap fabric that would otherwise be thrown away into gorgeous intricate collages
From Tess: “Being an artist is one of the many hats I wear. My work takes me in and out of my studio; gathering material, seeking inspiration, and building my network of other creatives. Sustainability is a major priority in my art. I make use of scraps of fabric, stained textiles, and pieces that are too small to utilise in other projects. I also work closely with a local sewing studio who teach classes and often end up with large amounts of textile scraps. Instead of sending them to the landfill, they collect every bit of fabric leftover and that is what I use to make art.
My work is exclusively based in collaging textiles and other mixed media together to create stories and glimpses of life through the stitching of fabric and thread. As a trained historic dressmaker and costumer, I build my love of the rich history of textile art into every piece I create. I start on a scrap piece of fabric and build up the layers and layers of fabric to create shapes and images. My focus on texture drives my work and lets me explore the full scope of this medium with passion and authenticity.”
Tess is a textile artist based in Winnipeg, Canada. She studied costuming and fashion history at Dalhousie University, where she developed a deep appreciation for textile arts. Her current work focuses on creating intricate textile collages using scrap and discarded fabric, blending traditional techniques with contemporary themes. Through her art, she aims to explore and celebrate the rich history and sustainable potential of textile materials. You can learn more about her work on her website and on instagram @toadstool_textiles.
