Anabelle Brochu – Contributor

Materials: Ceramic, felted wool, metal wire and a sponge

Artist Statement:

I believe that navigating our modern adult world can get overwhelming and anxiogenic. At the heart of my artistic approach lives a passionate desire to re-enchant my environment through the creation of places of renewal and resistance to the prevailing cynicism. 

Image courtesy of Anabelle Brochu

My miniature ecosystems are places of play for our inner children, who are often overlooked. Inspired by the flora and fauna of forests, I create coexisting whimsical characters, plants, animals and vessels that form textured and playful landscapes. The miniature aspect of these ecosystems requires proximity, curiosity and asks the viewer to linger for a moment to enjoy the details. My creatures are small, charming and cute, but I also see them as intelligent, courageous and free. They come from a dreamlike universe where gentleness and vulnerability are not perceived as weaknesses. These characters interact with their environment, build cozy nests with care and form bonds with one another. They invite us to do the same, to pause for a moment and then return to our larger world with a renewed strength to preserve it and to cultivate beauty around us. 

Tactile materials are central to my work, especially clay and fibres. My ceramic pieces are the result of a meticulous process guided by the medium; I hand-build or throw the clay, which is fired for the first time after drying. The pieces are then glazed or left unglazed for the second firing. These steps require care, presence, precision and, at times, letting go, which is why I love the process so much. I recently learned needle felting and found a lot of joy in working with locally sourced Dorset sheep wool. My practice celebrates the dialogue between arts and crafts, as well as the notions of community, accessibility, sharing and horizontality.