Olivia Koval

While growing up in North Carolina, I spent my time outdoors where I grew an appreciation for the preciousness of the landscape. The family garden we cared for became a collage of plants gifted by friends and relatives. The spirit of collecting and collaging found objects and natural materials heavily influences my material choice. I primarily work with wool, silk, found metal and natural dye sources which I hand weave and hand stitch together into layered collages.

Inspired by quilting, landscape and natural color, I create naturally dyed compositions using cotton, silk and hand spun wool. I aim to highlight the beauty of natural materials and how we build a feeling of home through objects we collect.

A visual narration of memory, places and objects, I develop textile compositions of naturally dyed fabrics and hand weavings stitched together to make large scale landscapes. I aim to highlight the beauty of natural materials, celebrate community and how we build a feeling of home through objects we collect.

Inspired by quilting, landscape and natural color, I construct woven and stitched imperfect plaids which illustrate a location as altered by memory. I primarily work with recycled silk and wool which I spin and dye using plants collected from the environment. Allowing color to be determined by seasonal changes in plant life, natural vegetation and location, my compositions exist as a journal of the time of year and location the piece was made. The woven and stitched compositions are meant to be used in home interiors as functional art objects and viewed from all sides.

Inspired by the emotional experience of touch with the natural environment, I create objects that encourage a shared experience in nature, collection, and memory. The textile compositions aim to build a connection to the earth’s natural cycles of growth and availability.

Instagram - @olivia_koval
Website - oliviakoval.squarespace.com
Email - oliviakoval2@gmail.com