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Sara Gradual, Equanimity, quilling and origami of fabric canvas, 10x20 in.
INSPIRATION
My inspiration for this piece stems from a 2020 Senbaruzu project with my Unitarian Universalist youth group. What began as a collective meditation on community wishes evolved into a personal sanctuary. As the world shifted, the repetitive act of folding became a way to process global upheaval, eventually leading me to "scale up the soul" of my materials—moving from pre-printed paper to hand-painted, upcycled textiles and scrap paper.
This piece relates to the theme "Revealing our Magnificence" through the alchemical process of transformation. By utilizing "imperfect" canvases from fellow artists and repurposing discarded packing paper, I am revealing the inherent splendor in the overlooked and the mundane.
The work mirrors the journey of many women artists: we often carry our creative power in quiet, folded-in spaces. To "unfold" these materials into a soaring flock is to manifest the hidden brilliance within us all. It is a wish for the viewer to recognize that magnificence is not found in being "flawless," but in the resilience and grace required to rise from the churn of life’s waves.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I come from a line of makers. My practice is rooted in the legacy of my mother, a Smithsonian-featured artist, and my grandmother, a professional seamstress. For years, I applied my degree in Visual Communications to a corporate career in fabrication and project management, but my hands always craved the tactile nature of fiber and paper.
My current work evolved from a 2020 community project folding Senbazuru (one thousand origami cranes) at my Unitarian Universalist church. What began as a collective prayer for the world became my personal sanctuary. Today, I scale "up the soul" of my materials by blending the ancient traditions of origami and quilling with modern sustainability. I primarily use upcycled newspaper, packing paper, and scrap fabric—hand-painting and sealing each sheet before the first fold is made. I often build upon "imperfect" canvases from fellow artists, embracing a silent, cross-time collaboration. While I can no longer scribe a wish inside every crane, a few hidden intentions remain tucked within each piece, keeping the hope for global peace and human dignity alive in every fold.
Sara Gradual, Equanimity, quilling and origami of fabric canvas, 10x20 in.
INSPIRATION
My inspiration for this piece stems from a 2020 Senbaruzu project with my Unitarian Universalist youth group. What began as a collective meditation on community wishes evolved into a personal sanctuary. As the world shifted, the repetitive act of folding became a way to process global upheaval, eventually leading me to "scale up the soul" of my materials—moving from pre-printed paper to hand-painted, upcycled textiles and scrap paper.
This piece relates to the theme "Revealing our Magnificence" through the alchemical process of transformation. By utilizing "imperfect" canvases from fellow artists and repurposing discarded packing paper, I am revealing the inherent splendor in the overlooked and the mundane.
The work mirrors the journey of many women artists: we often carry our creative power in quiet, folded-in spaces. To "unfold" these materials into a soaring flock is to manifest the hidden brilliance within us all. It is a wish for the viewer to recognize that magnificence is not found in being "flawless," but in the resilience and grace required to rise from the churn of life’s waves.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I come from a line of makers. My practice is rooted in the legacy of my mother, a Smithsonian-featured artist, and my grandmother, a professional seamstress. For years, I applied my degree in Visual Communications to a corporate career in fabrication and project management, but my hands always craved the tactile nature of fiber and paper.
My current work evolved from a 2020 community project folding Senbazuru (one thousand origami cranes) at my Unitarian Universalist church. What began as a collective prayer for the world became my personal sanctuary. Today, I scale "up the soul" of my materials by blending the ancient traditions of origami and quilling with modern sustainability. I primarily use upcycled newspaper, packing paper, and scrap fabric—hand-painting and sealing each sheet before the first fold is made. I often build upon "imperfect" canvases from fellow artists, embracing a silent, cross-time collaboration. While I can no longer scribe a wish inside every crane, a few hidden intentions remain tucked within each piece, keeping the hope for global peace and human dignity alive in every fold.