Polyhedra Spores

Mycelium - We Are All Connected September 2026

Sculpture Series contributed to gallery group exhibition at Cowichan Valley Arts Council

The correlation between polyhedra and mycelium exists in an analogy of their structural parallels: mycelium is a web of thread-like hyphae (edges) meeting at branch points (vertices). Polyhedra are also made up of hyphae and vertices. These “spores” are made entirely from recycled materials: the leather is from reclaimed vintage garments; they are stuffed with recycled foam chips, which are a byproduct of the upholstery industry. These polyhedron shapes- icosahedron (20-sided), dodecahedron (12-sided), hexahedron (six-sided), and tetrahedron (four-sided) are all explorations in shape building: even though each shape is made up of one singular pattern piece (akin to a spore) that is repeated, the sequence of construction is integral to the creation of the intended final shape. I see a correlation here between mycelium's inherent ability to self-proliferate and the fact that microplastics, foam fibers, and man-made as well as man-altered organic materials such as leather, will all have a long life on planet Earth as they disintegrate and their particles re-enter waterways, the atmosphere, the soil, and, unfortunately, also our bodies. Recycling, reclaiming, repurposing, and finding use for otherwise discardable remnants, abandoned garments, and foam off-cuts that could be all perceived as useless - these are all very important to me in my art practice as I strive always to keep my studio space as close to zero waste as possible. These polyhedron sculptures have been a long work in progress, a slow spore-like network