Burst and Bloom - Rachel Comminos (Opening Reception)

Excerpt from artist statement below :

My practice as a one-person tufted rug production factory involves transforming my challenging feelings (and a lot of work) into soft, lovable pieces of art. When I lost my estranged father in September of 2021, his passing tossed me into a period of intense self-reflection, instantly exposing a more vulnerable version of myself. The first piece I made after his death was the large, tufted burst, “Portal to Anywhere.” A symbol to transport myself to anywhere but this strange new place, trying to get my mind off the emotional, weeping open wound that death brings. Since that creation, I have tufted and made more bursts that represent portals, blooms, open- wounds, and healing. My healing process sometimes feels like I’m bursting with life, like a fresh bloom from my garden, bursting in my own; feelings of blooming into a new version of myself. My art practice allows for an escape from the everyday stresses that come with my depression and anxiety, alongside the stresses of day-to-day life of being a mom.