Fibre artist Margery Amdur creates these three-dimensional abstract pieces entirely out of cosmetic sponges.

The artist started working with sponge at the end of her public art project Walking on Sunshine. Amdur had been using sponge utensils as a tool for painting but realised that what she was interested in was the paint covered sponges themselves, not necessarily their mark making potential.

As they are normally used to apply makeup, cosmetic sponges have a soft and absorbent surface and come pre-cut in various shapes and sizes, which worked perfectly for Amdur’s purposes. Initially, the decision to use cosmetic sponges was a purely aesthetic one, but it came to speak of women’s issues and the idea of beautification.

The sponge works began as floor pieces and progressed onto the gallery walls. For the floor pieces, the artist applies colour to the individual sponges before assembling them. For the wall pieces, she cuts the sponges to shape and applies them to a large sheet of fabric. The artist then paints the entire piece with gouache, ink and pastel.

For display, the artist arranges the sponge-embellished sheets of fabric into three-dimensional forms and secures them in place. For each display, she alters their arrangement, so the works take on a whole new form. The pieces are therefore always changing, and can never be displayed the same way twice.

Amdur employs students to help her create these works. The act of collective creating leads to a special group dynamic where personal stories and situations are often shared. This atmosphere in the studio has become an important part of the work for Amdur.

the artist’s studio practice is unique in that nothing goes to waste. Exhibited alongside her sponge works, a piece made entirely out of the latex gloves makes use of the byproduct of these fibre pieces.