Steph Kincade (they/them)
Steph is a sculptural embroidery and fibre artist. A settler in K’jipuktuk/Halifax NS, they hail originally from Menaquesk/Saint John, NB. Their long standing love affaire with marine biology and the tiny worlds around us are the main inspiration for their work. Exploring their surroundings in the woods and along the shoreline, primarily in the Atlantic provinces, has been a pastime since childhood. Past work includes MicroWorlds, a sculptural hand embroidery collection exploring the small and microscopic, and Stranglehold, a small collection of wearable art pieces inspired by toxic algae blooms. Their current work explores the addition of freehand machine embroidery to their sculptural works, both mounted/wall hung, and freestanding. Current work also explores the use of sustainably foraged plant fibres.
Commitment to the Environment
Statement on practices as they relate to waste, sustainability and environmental impact
Right from the beginning I have used a mix of old and new. The most accessible tool I was able to start with was to use items that may have wound up in the landfill. I have repurposed things from worn out sheets to old jewelry, vintage threads and yarn scraps. Salvaging from thrift stores and rescuing things that would otherwise be thrown out (by myself and others).
Currently I am experimenting with and researching a number of other options. Looking into locally produced materials, naturally sourced and sustainably produced materials, and more! My goal is to slowly explore and integrate these options into my art without sacrificing the quality of work that I produce (hopefully even improving it).
