In 2022, I had the opportunity to work on a public art project, installed in an workplace cafeteria in Ottawa. HomeWrap is a series of six triptychs comprised of quilted Tyvek panels with sculptural relief.
We wrap ourselves in quilts for comfort and safety — physical and emotional. In a parallel sense, we wrap our homes in Tyvek for our physical comfort and the protection of our buildings. The material mediates our relationship with our surroundings.
Hope (Birds in the Air), 2022. Photo: Kevin Bélanger.
Five triptychs speak of themes vital to thriving individuals, thriving communities, and thriving workplaces: Purpose (North Star), Relationship (Friendship Star), Belonging (Robbing Peter to Pay Paul), Choice (Flying Geese), and Hope (Birds in the Air). Each features an interpretation of a traditional quilt block that represents these themes, stitched against a backdrop of natural elements.
Relationship (Friendship Star), 2022. Photo: Kevin Bélanger.
The last triptych, Home (Log Cabin), represents safety, support, protection, and security.
When these certain physiological, cognitive, emotional, and spiritual needs are considered and met, we can begin to thrive.
Belonging (Robbing Peter to Pay Paul), 2022. Photo: Kevin Bélanger.
The quilts are made of two different kinds of Tyvek — the kind you get a hardware store which is a vapour barrier for buildings, keeping moisture out while letting the building breathe. The second is a “soft structure” Tyvek, which is more fabric-like. I used scans of some of my watercolours, digitally collaged them, and had them printed on the softer Tyvek.
Choice (Flying Geese), 2022. Photo: Kevin Bélanger.
HomeWrap received a Special Mention Award in the 2023 DuPont™ Tyvek® Design Awards.