Collaborative Cuddle Monster

The giant cuddle monster! This being was created in collaboration with 520+ K-2 elementary school students during a week-long school visit. I shared my soft sculptures with the young artists, and they told me about their favourite stuffies: how they were sources of care, friendship and comfort. We then created a massive stuffie for the school! The young artists were prompted: What message would you share with someone seeking comfort? In response, each artist created a small, mixed-media textile patch with symbols and text of encouragement, love and joy. I stitched their artwork together, creating this colossal and cozy being that now lives in their school. Lots of hands for hugging and a big belly for resting.

I am grateful for their wonderful art teacher, Ms. Klein, for entrusting me with this new project idea. I’d love to create more collaborative monsters! The massive scale of this project would not be possible without the contributing artwork of so many young artists.

2022
Fabric, Polyfil, Markers, Yarn, Fabric Scraps, Beads, Sequins