Felted Fungus Art “Growing” in Petri Dishes Shows the Unexpectedly Cute Side of Mold

Crochet Sculpture Art by Elin Thomas

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Most people balk at mold, like the type that appears as spores on old loaves of bread. But not artist Elin Thomas; she pays homages to fuzzy fungus through her felt fiber art. Using techniques including crochet, needle felting, and embroidery, she creates one-of-a-kind petri dishes that really look like mold. The shallow vessels are filled to the brim with exquisite textures—including fuzzy, hair-like spores that invite you to touch, making them unexpectedly cute.

Thomas’ fiber sculptures are small enough to hold in the palm of your hand. They often occupy an eight-inch glass dish with a stuffed felt base in a light or dark gray color. The neutral ground is where Thomas’ work comes alive with crocheted molds, knotted stitches, and other delicate objects resembling living organisms. These elements are hand sewn to the felt and the entire thing is held in place with glue.

In addition to her petri dishes, Thomas creates mold-inspired accessories like statement rings. Perfect as gifts for science lovers, both are available in her Etsy shop.

Artist Elin Thomas pays homage to mold with her felt fiber art.

Crochet Sculpture Art by Elin Thomas

Using crochet and embroidery techniques, she recreates fuzzy spores on a needle felted base…

Crochet Sculpture Art by Elin Thomas

… and puts them inside real eight-inch petri dishes.

Felt Fiber Art by Elin Thomas

The result is tactile art that is unexpectedly cute.

Felt Fiber Art by Elin Thomas

Crochet Sculpture Art by Elin Thomas

Felt Fiber Art by Elin Thomas

Crochet Sculpture Art by Elin Thomas

Crochet Sculpture Art by Elin Thomas

Crochet Sculpture Art by Elin Thomas

Felt Fiber Art by Elin Thomas

Felt Fiber Art by Elin Thomas

In addition to her petri dishes, Thomas creates wearable art that is sure to make a statement.

Crochet Sculpture Art by Elin Thomas

Crochet Sculpture Art by Elin Thomas

Elin Thomas: Website | Etsy
h/t: [Colossal]

All images via Elin Thomas.

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Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled "Embroidered Life" that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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