Hand-worked textile soft sculpture

An exploration of tension, endurance and the emotional labour of carrying what cannot be resolved.

Constructed through a process of knitting, knotting, stitching and repeated manipulation, each work in the series emerges through acts of accumulation and persistence. Dense knitted forms are twisted into complex structures before being bound, reinforced and reworked through the addition of felted wool strands. The resulting forms retain a sense of tension, resistance and movement, reflecting the physical demands of their making.

The series considers emotional states that resist easy resolution: grief, frustration, fear, anger, uncertainty and love. Rather than seeking to untangle these experiences, the works acknowledge them as conditions that must sometimes be carried. Through repetitive acts of making, the process becomes a way of remaining present with difficult emotions until they can be held.

Organic, irregular and deeply tactile, the forms suggest bodies, burdens, gestures and emotional states without settling into a fixed interpretation. Each work exists as a unique variation within an ongoing investigation into endurance, adaptation and the transformative potential of sustained creative practice.

Unique original artwork.

The Work of Holding is an ongoing series exploring the quiet, often invisible labour of emotional endurance — the ways we learn to carry what cannot be put down, and the forms that sustain us in the carrying. Each work stands alone as a complete statement and may be lived with independently.

This work is Part III of the series. If you are drawn to more than one work, enquiries regarding the acquisition of multiple works are warmly welcome.

Composition:

100% felted merino wool, cotton thread.

Year: 2026

Dimensions:

22cm wide x 17cm deep x 74cm high

Weight:

1.4kg

Unframed, ready to hang.

Each work is designed to be displayed as a wall-mounted sculptural form. The open construction of the piece allows it to be suspended from a concealed support, creating the impression that it hovers slightly away from the wall.

Suitable installation methods may include a wall-mounted rod, hook or other secure fixing appropriate to the weight of the artwork and the wall surface. Once installed, the support is largely obscured by the form itself, allowing the work to retain its intended sense of levity and presence.

This work is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Enquire about this work

You can read more about the personal story that inspired this artwork in the Artist's Notes: The Work of Holding Series.

You can read the Exhibition Statement for Cartography of Survival here.

Postage

Each original work is shipped complimentary within Australia, fully insured and packaged with the care that a unique artwork deserves.

International shipping is available to selected regions. Freight costs for original works are partially subsidised — we absorb a portion of the true cost of international carriage so that geography is not a barrier to collecting.

Collectors based in North America are warmly invited to contact us prior to purchase to discuss shipping arrangements and receive a personalised quotation.