Alyson Annette Eshelman

Fiber Transformed is a body of work that is autobiographical in nature, contrasting the freedom of childhood with the weight of adulthood. The dolls without cages explore my childhood innocence, my Appalachian heritage, and a strong connection to the "home place. The dolls with cages are inspired by Santos cage dolls and explore the weight of adulthood. The items in the cages are metaphors to express my feelings and attitudes, my past, and my future. The locked cages in my heart often cause more pain than letting the cage be opened, and the hurt be set free. I have found that allowing God to use the art He has given me as a balm or a fragrant ointment on my soul’s wounds doesn’t take the hurt away but makes it easier to close the door. The sculptures lure the unsuspecting with whimsy, and once caught, the cages lead the viewer to a deeper meaning. This body of work allows the viewer to see themselves in the figures, be moved by a memory or feeling, and permits the work to be a balm on their soul.