The Forms of Void by Maia Focaccia

I recently came across the wonderful work of Italian textile artist and designer Maia Focaccia and her project “The Forms of Void”. I love the way that the beautiful sculptural elements of the final knitted piece embodies the poetic vision of the artist: Maia says that “the garment is the expression of the void which manifests itself as a creative force by giving shape to matter, generating volume and bending space”. I think that her lyrical and almost philosophical approach to her art is really refreshing, from the thoughtfulness behind the project to the finished piece that transforms the concept of “the void” or nothingness into something tangible with an elegant simplicity. To me the knitted spheres remind of a trailing bunch of grapes that clings to the body of a classical statue. Its as if magical energy trapped within the fibres of the garment has literally bubbled to the surface of the fabric to create the spherical embellishments. The making of the garment utilised the painstaking techniques of felting and shibori.