RENÉE MATHEWS

Interactive biomorphic soft sculptures made by coiling yarn around foam offcuts. This process creates a sort of haptic response because of the tension required to sculpt them. “I need a hug” is mostly about the necessity of connection, touch, play, and oddity. Exploring and enjoying these things first through the making of each object, and then again through their encounters with people.

These sculptures were made in response to the prompt of resistance, addressed here in both a personal and material sense. The title directly refers to my own personal resistance in admitting to the need for touch and connection. Whereas the tension required to make the sculptures is a result materials' resistance to be bound as they are.

The installation for this piece is variable to start and changes further as people interact with it and each other.