Tricia Waddell / Studio BlkBird
Exhibition Overview:
Envisioned with an understanding of raw internalized emotions, The Moon in Her Mouth unfolds as a compelling series of soft sculptures and conceptual self-portraits that delve into the very core of our emotional landscapes. Each piece serves as a testament to the unspoken battles waged within ourselves, giving form and substance to the complex tapestry of visceral emotions and mental health struggles. These sculptures navigate emotions that range from anxiety and anger, to the isolating depths of loneliness, echoes of trauma, insecurity, and the instinct for self-protection.
Rooted in the intricate interplay of dye, cloth, texture, and form, Waddell breathes life into these intimate beings. Each sculpture becomes a vessel transcending the boundaries of conventional expression, resonating on a profound emotional level. In this evocative tapestry, a shared human experience is unveiled, where the hesitancy to expose these inner battles is met with an invitation to confront and acknowledge the depth of our collective emotional existence.
About Tricia Waddell
Textile artist, Denver CO
Also the artist behind Studio Blkbird, Waddell is inspired by her degree in fashion design from the Fashion Institute of Technology and a variety of surface design workshops. Her work combines painting and screen-printing with reactive dyes and resists to create visual textures inspired by abstract art, ceramics, and graphic design. Often incorporating mixed media and fiber elements, her current work focuses on soft sculptures that are interior self-portraits exploring mental health issues from processing raw internalized emotions to depression and negative self-talk. Inspired by the beliefs in many cultures that objects and dolls can hold protective, healing, and magical powers as talismans, she strives to create intimate works that embody quiet emotional power and empathy. Her goal is to create space for people to feel seen and heard, while also removing the stigma of discussing mental health, particularly in marginalized communities.
Exhibitions include “A Spiral is Linear” at Friend of a Friend Gallery (2023), “Pink Progressions: Collaborations” at the Arvada Center Gallery (2020), and various art pop-ups in the Denver area. She’s a board member at Tilt West and an artist member of the Colorado Art Therapy Association. When she’s not in the studio, she works as an editor, writer, and storyteller creating content for artists and non-profits.
Residency Period: 01/16/24 - 03/01/24
Exhibition opening: 03/01/24
Exhibition Dates: 03/17/24
PlatteForum Annex Gallery: 3575 Ringsby Ct. Denver, CO 80216
