Sophie Kihara-Murer

My work explores the intersections of exploitation, race, environment, and gender through tapestry compositions. By recontextualizing the identity and histories connected to these onion bags, I encourage viewers to consider the complex narratives and identities of my work through these materials, often associated with manual labour and disposability, carrying rich histories tied to working-class communities, marginalized groups, and undervalued material waste.

Through tapestry and embroidery approaches, I transform these surfaces into complex visual compositions that blend craft with painting. I’m particularly drawn to the grid-like patterns of these textiles, which serve as a perfect foundation for exploring texture, form, colour, and the bag’s previous commercial identity. My process is rooted in experimenting with material utilities, lineages, and politics to create paintings.