ARTIST STATEMENT
Though I have been a creative person my entire life, I embarked on my career as an artist later than most. Now, in my 70th year, I am keenly aware of my mortality. The sense that my time to create is finite drives me, yet it’s far from my only motivation. As a textile artist, I draw deep inspiration from my grandmother and great aunt, Addie Lee Gardner and “Aint” Eula, who were master quilters. My father, Joe Gardner, who nurtured my creativity, also profoundly influences my work. I am further motivated by my desire to leave an artistic legacy for my children and grandchildren. As a lifelong Detroiter, the resilience and emerging recognition of Detroit’s Black artist community also fuel my passion. I discovered wet felting over 20 years ago, initially focusing on wearable art. Today, I use this ancient technique to create contemporary textile works that explore texture and form. The process of transforming fibers into something beautiful never ceases to fascinate me—it feels like magic, and I take immense joy in facilitating it. My work often incorporates diverse materials such as copper mesh, silk, cheesecloth, and even found objects, reflecting my curiosity about texture. I also honor nature through eco-printing and dyeing with plant materials, which adds a sustainable element to my art. I hope, through my work, to add beauty to the world. We can never have too much beauty!
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Mandisa Smith, a lifelong Detroiter, masterfully employs the ancient art of wet felting to create exquisite wearable pieces, sculptural works, abstract art, and unique home accessories. This meticulous and labor-intensive technique results in one-of-a-kind creations that cannot be replicated. Often, Mandisa incorporates her eco-printed silk fabrics into her felted masterpieces and pushes artistic boundaries by integrating various found materials. Her work has been featured in prestigious venues both in Detroit and beyond, including The Scarab Club, Detroit Artists Market, Detroit Institute of Arts, Healdsburg Center for the Arts in California, and Fearless Artist Pop-Up in New York City. Notable solo exhibits include “Women I Love” at Norwest Gallery, curated by Asia Hamilton, and “The Art of Felting” at Wayne County Community College-Northwest Campus, curated by Sherry Washington. Mandisa’s passion for the arts was ignited in childhood, fueled by her father’s deep interest in art and intellect. She has since honed her felting skills through workshops with master fiber artists from around the world. As a former co-owner of Detroit fiber Works, Mandisa takes great pride in uplifting fellow Detroit artists. She is currently focused on launching her new studio, dye garden, and community art space, AKOMA Art House & Dye Garden, at Oakland Avenue Urban Farm in Detroit’s North End. Sustainability and honoring the earth’s resources are central to her work, where nothing is wasted.
© Mandisa Smith