Abigail Tankersley

Lives and works in Savannah, GA, USA

Artist statement

Abigail Tankersley's artistic journey is driven by an inherent desire to create, a constant presence in her mind. Her affinity for the boundless possibilities of fibers led her to specialize in textiles, where she explores an array of mediums, prioritizing the reuse of waste materials. In her work, Abigail combines playful colors, textures, and patterns to evoke feelings of childlike joy and familiarity, while incorporating elements of scale and form that provoke discomfort, prompting viewers to confront visceral reactions. Through a blend of materials and craft processes, she creates immersive visuals and textures that elicit a spectrum of emotions, capturing the complex interplay of confusing, exciting, mysterious, and meaningful themes. At the heart of her artistic inquiry lies the timeless question: Why are we here? Drawing inspiration from personal experiences and contemplation, Abigail's work reflects the belief that every moment in our world is intricately interconnected, contributing to a broader picture beyond our comprehension. Influenced by her journey of coping with personal mental illness, she explores how adversity can lead to transformative growth and resilience, challenging perceptions of beauty and pondering the purpose behind life's challenges and triumphs. Through her art, Abigail fosters a dialogue about the inherent beauty within life's complexities, envisioning a world where pain and discomfort serve a greater purpose, leading to an evolution beyond...

Artwork

• A Really Big Worm, 2023. Aluminum flex duct, spray paint, pvc pipe
• Thoroughly Transfigured Beings II, 2023. Machine knit mohair and acrylic yarns, recycled plastic and textile waste
• A Force In The Room, 2023. Machine knit acrylic, mohair, and blended yarns, stretched on wooden frame
• Never Change, 2023. Machine knit acrylic, mohair, and blended yarns, stretched on wooden frame.
• Don't Leave It Be, 2023. Machine knit mohair yarns stretched on wooden frame
• Scorned Worm, 2023. Machine knit acrylic, mohair, and blended yarns, stretched on wooden frame
• Withered Worm, 2023. Machine knit acrylic, mohair, and blended yarns, stretched on wooden frame
• Worms In Luv, 2023. Acrylic on canvas
• Death Worms and Birth Worms , 2023. Acrylic on canvas
• "Worms In The Nude", 2023. Acrylic on canvas
• So Were You, 2023. Acrylic on canvas
• I Was, 2023. Acrylic on canvas
• You’ll Find Me There Too, 2023. Acrylic on canvas
• You’ll Find Them In The Garden , 2023. Acrylic on canvas
• Just Random Matter, Suspended In Time, 2023. Machine knit mohair and acrylic yarns, recycled plastic and textile waste
• Thoroughly Transfigured Beings, 2022. Machine knitting mohair and acrylic yarns, recycled plastic and textile waste, enamel paint
• But You're Something Else Completely , 2022. Machine knit acrylic, mohair, and blended yarns, stretched on wooden frame
• But She's Not an Unforgiving Girl, 2022. Machine knit acrylic, mohair, and blended yarns, stretched on wooden frame.
• Of Course They're Confused, You're Stunning, 2022. Machine knit acrylic, mohair, and blended yarns, stretched on wooden frame
• But I Can't Stop Watching , 2022. Machine knit acrylic, mohair, and blended yarns, stretched on wooden frame
• She'll Feel Better in the Morning, 2022. Machine knit acrylic, mohair, and blended yarns, stretched on wooden frame
• Life as Means for Love to Grow, 2022. Machine knit acrylic, mohair, and blended yarns, stretched on wooden frame
• To Truly See and Be Seen, 2022. Machine knit mohair and acrylic yarns, recycled plastic and textile waste
• The Bigger I Get, The Less That I Know, 2022. Machine knit mohair and acrylic yarns, recycled plastic and textile waste
• How Much Longer ‘Til I’m Taller?, 2021. Machine knit mohair yarns, recycled plastic and textile waste
• Biologists Tend to Look at Death as Means for Life to Regenerate , 2021. Machine knit acrylic, mohair, and blended yarns, stretched on wooden frame