About Griffin Nordstrom

Following in the traditions of the Feed Sack quilts of the Great Depression, and Appalachian folk resourcefulness, my art transforms the perceived worthless plastic shopping bag into complex quilt and textiles pieces. I use sewing techniques and careful fusing of the plastic to create wearable garments, quilt-like hangings, and a host of other objects like plush charms and embroideries. Throughout this process, I place an emphasis on experimentation; exploring a new material that doesn’t follow rules of an already defined art medium offers a host of challenges, and I’ve completely restructured my way of addressing the media numerous times since starting this work in 2020. Through applying heirloom craft processes with single use plastics, a dialogue is created about the true environmental impact and lifetime of damage these objects exert before decomposing. A hope is offered too; that through thoughtfulness and individual action, a better balance can be reached in how much of our daily routine ends up in landfills and pollution.