Thinking Through Crafting: An Examination of Material Exploration as a Way of Inquiry

This thesis research project focuses on the transformative potential of repurposed fibre materials, exploring the role of craft as a medium for artistic inquiry and expression. Through a series of experimental paper sculptures and textile installations, this research investigates the potential of craft to navigate, engage and process the existential unease provoked by the problematic state of the current world. By engaging with the tactile and sensuous qualities of materials, the project seeks to establish a dialogue between human and non-human entities, highlighting craft’s capacity to foster a deeper appreciation and connection with the world we inhabit. This thesis project proposes crafting as a vital methodological approach for exploring and expressing the complexities in many of the current crises, advocating for a reimagined engagement with our material surroundings.