Hand embroidery, free motion sewing machine drawing, cotton appliqued and pencils on cotton
60 x 50 x 5 cm

In a time of global crisis and relentless information overload, Nicole O'Loughlin explores the tension between action and inertia. Her practice reflects the struggle to remain present while the world feels as though it is spiraling out of control.

This work uses textiles as a form of drawing, layering fabric and thread to construct a domestic scene saturated with colour and detail. A figure sits enveloped in a cascade of household linens, surrounded by books and everyday objects, a space where comfort and chaos coexist. Through stitched lines and tactile surfaces, Nicole transforms ordinary materials into a visual language of resistance and refuge. Each thread becomes a mark, echoing the meditative rhythm of traditional drawing while expanding its possibilities.

For Nicole, drawing with textiles is not passive; it is a deliberate act of reclaiming agency. The process slows the mind, grounds the body, and offers a moment of clarity amid uncertainty. Her art becomes both a response and a refuge, a way to engage with the world while holding onto something tangible and true.

Image: Brenton McGeachie