Analysis Paralysis

Social media is two sides of the same coin in my creative practice. On one side, it is a source of discovery, exposing me to exciting new artists, materials, techniques and ideas. On the other, the sheer volume of inspiration and comparison can become overwhelming, leading to analysis paralysis and making it difficult to move from looking to making.

Analysis Paralysis grew out of a desire to step away from the screen and reconnect with the simple act of making. I began experimenting with inkblot painting, folding paper over wet paint to create mirrored forms. The process was playful, immediate and unpredictable, allowing me to focus on colour, texture and experimentation rather than outcomes.

From these small studies, I selected a series of favourite forms and translated them into large-scale, shallow relief textile works. In doing so, I was able to apply techniques and materials that I originally discovered through social media, while moving beyond the digital world and into a physical, tactile one. The soft, fluffy surface invites a sensory experience that cannot be replicated on a screen.

This body of work is a reminder that inspiration doesn't have to come from finding the perfect idea online. Sometimes it comes from putting down the phone, picking up some paint, and seeing what happens.