“Swarm”- Original art piece by MJ Seal. Faux fur fabric, paper ephemera, nylon thread and animal bone, approximately 9′ x 6′. C. 2021When I first saw this acid-green, faux flokati fabric I knew I had to figure out some way I could use it. I had this idea for some kind of fabric art piece that would look like giant clumps of moss and decided this material would be perfect.Partially inspired by a constantly expanding colony of moss clumps growing outside of one of my apartment windows I wanted this piece to in part illustrate exponential growth. So I stitched up these caterpillar like shapes in three distinct sizes. The largest which is about 2′ long followed by a second generation of 12, 1′ long forms. Next I stitched up a third generation of forms each about 6″ long- 144 of them+ 12 more+ a few extras- all hand stitched.The simple, ovuline forms I stitched together look very animated with their synthetic fur. Kind of like some of the caterpillars I have found around here- caterpillars that are very poisonous.A close up of the centerThe gathering swarm from another angleThis grew to be quite a large piece- I don’t even have a backdrop large enough for it. The nice thing about making this up out of many smaller pieces is that it’s very easy to transport and I can manipulate the swarm to fit into whatever installation area is available.I’m debating on including bits of animal bones I’ve found on my hikes. I kind of like the idea of setting them about the edges of the swarm- like remainders of whatever they’ve gathered to feed upon.this deer (?) jaw bone had been heavily gnawed upon long before I found it just sitting in the leaf litterGathered together- a mother and offspring?
MJ Seal .Art 
Awesome!
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Danke! 🙏
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this would be a floor installation formation swarm? It’s great!! The colour is so fresh and cool, yet it’s a little spooky, interesting!!
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Danke! 🙏 I wanted this to be fluffy and inviting- yet- unnerving at the same time. And yes-some of them may be crawling up the walls to 🤗
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