My name is Selena Evans, and since beginning my career as an artist in 2020, I have been working predominantly in textile sculpture. More recently I have also been exploring acrylic portraiture painting and clay.
During the first English Coronavirus lock-down, the abundance of time at home provided an opportunity to experiment with a new interest – soft sculpture.
It is amusing that for so long, throughout my career using industrial sewing machines, volume and speed was the focus, avoiding hand-sewing where-ever possible.
Yet my time in lock-down, turning my back on machines, has been more rewarding than I could have ever imagined; I have taken time to explore the freedom of hand-stitching and fabric manipulation, abandoning all patterns and product repetition.
This newly-discovered direction has been enlightening, I have rediscovered myself, and my true path.
Each sculpture evolves through their own energy, that often appears in the very early stages. I get carried off by the channeled inspiration, from that point on they seem to make themselves.
I will often have two or three on my table at once, so I can take the time needed to make sure I get every detail just right.
It makes me smile to see their interactions whilst they get to know their room mates, it seems like their expressions alter - they are truly real to me.
Entirely sculpted by myself, no patterns are used.
Each one is different to the next.
Hand-stitched, weighted and balanced for display, they sit on a felt pad to protect both sculpture and surfaces.
My textile sculptures are art pieces, and intended for collectors only.
A poignant influence on my work is the grief I felt over the loss of my beloved dog.
Her end of life care coincided with a shift in my focus, now reflecting my personal experience of deep connection and loss.
Many of my current works are inspired by stay and senior dogs.
Seeking to highlight the plight of the underdog
Those who are aging, infirm or in need
textile portfolio
Below is my portfolio of textile works in reverse chronological order.
Click any image to read further.
In the expanded view you will also find a link to further images. Clicking this link will open a new window, where you can view photographs from every angle.
exhibitions and media
Artist-in-residence, Ground Gallery, The Guild, Wilton, Wiltshire, 2024 - current
Plain Arts Winter Exhibition, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK, 2022
Gallery 68, Ulverston, Cumbria, UK, 2021
"They have a solemn beauty and a gravitas which you would not necessarily expect from creatures constructed from textiles."
"There is something of the ancient artefact about them while feeling at the same time fully contemporary. Quite special."