A solo exhibition exploring the humourous, nostalgic and cosy vibes of soft home furnishings.

May 8-12th, 2025, Slice of Life Gallery, Vancouver, BC.

What is Cosy?

Inspired by old sewing patterns and dorky fabric decor of the past, COSY was a plush wonderland of ruffles, bows, and soft humour. Part comfort, part comedy, COSY invited visitors to reminisce about the handmade touches that made a house feel like home under a frivolous and cheeky lense.

Inspiration

For this show, I spent a lot of time researching and collecting vintage sewing patterns and homemaker books. I’ve always been fascinated by the decorative objects housewives created to decorate their homes, often they were magically frivolous and impractical.

*A collection of vintage sewing patterns*

I was also inspired by the women in my life, particularly family members who shared their sewing knowledge with me or created a sense of coziness in their homes. The domestic items they made often became a source of inspiration for my own work.

*A house shaped tissue cosy my Grandmother made*

Many pieces in the show featured hints of quilting — the act of drawing lines or imagery onto fabric with stitching. Growing up around my mum’s quilting business, I was always in awe by the way quilting could add whimsy and dimension to fabrics. For COSY, I especially enjoyed adding stippling— or as I like to call it, squiggles to my pieces.

*Quilted photo frame, Maddles Made, 2025*

In line with most of my art practice, everything was created from secondhand objects and textiles. I find these materials to be a constant source of inspiration. Usually the idea for what to make forms when I come across an interesting discarded item or textile piece.

A Cheeky installation

The exhibition included a small mocked-up bathroom installation, featuring a secondhand toilet, pedestal sink, and mirror. Each piece was adorned with ridiculous frills, bows, and ruffles. Visitors were encouraged to explore the space, enjoy the textures, and delight in the silly, sentimental details.

FRILLS AHEAD

To wrap things up, alongside the quirky art pieces, I created a range of smaller cosy treasures for visitors to purchase and take home. This included quilted pouches, squiggle socks, pot holders and even some of my classic fanny packs. These little goodies all carried the same spirit of comfort, colour, and cheek as the rest of the show.