Sanford, Savannah2024-11-262024-11-260024-11-18https://hdl.handle.net/10177/40632Lavender Child This thesis explores the emotional and symbolic significance of fabric as a medium for processing grief, particularly the trauma of losing a parent to suicide. Through a large-scale textile installation, I create a space of comfort and protection inspired by my own childhood experiences with loss. At the age of eight, I lost my father to suicide, and the grief that followed left me clinging to comfort objects, especially my baby blanket. Fabric, with its tactile and intimate qualities, became a vital tool in my healing process. This piece, an oversized transparent canopy made from naturally dyed fabrics and adorned with symbols like flowers and butterflies, serves as both a tribute to my inner child and a reflection on the healing journey. It embodies the fragility of emotions during grief, the ongoing need for solace, and the potential for growth and transformation over time. By incorporating eco-printing and materials that evoke personal memories, I aim to create a space that offers comfort and invites reflection. This installation also sparks conversation about suicide prevention, childhood grief, and the role of art in healing and community support.Natural dyes, textile, fibers, found objects, natural objects, lighting, printmaking, sewingInstallation, abstract, femininity, comfort, greif, loss, textile, fiber, quilt, lighting, soft sculpture, natural dyes, nature, senses, sculpture, canopy