Sienna Martz is a conscientious creator who challenges the status quo with every stitch and fabric scrap. Her latest exhibition, “Echoes of Earth,” opening August 15 at Soapbox Arts, is a profound exploration of the tension between humanity and nature. Through her meticulously crafted fiber sculptures, Sienna not only highlights the resilience of the natural world but also offers a stark commentary on the excesses of consumerism and capitalism. With a practice rooted in sustainability and a commitment to upcycling, she’s redefining what it means to create in the 21st century. We sat down with Sienna to discuss her inspirations, her meticulous process, and the larger ecological messages that drive her work.
Install view.
Photo courtesy of Soapbox Arts.
Install view.
Photo courtesy of Soapbox Arts.
First off, thank you, Sienna, for sitting down with us! You have a new show coming up, “Echoes of Earth,” opening on August 15 at Soapbox Arts in Burlington, Vermont. “Echoes of Earth” investigates the dissonance between humanity and nature. How do you invite viewers to explore this theme through your works?
Sienna Martz: Thank you so much for having me! “Echoes of Earth” features a new body of work that depicts nature-inspired forms seemingly sprouting from the gallery walls. The exhibition invites viewers to explore the adaptability of nature and how, over time, it asserts its dominance to erase human imprints and restore equilibrium. Additionally, the use of second-hand clothing throughout select artwork informs viewers of the excesses of consumerism and how its contribution to climate change.
In reality, these colors are a warning to predators to stay away. I’m really drawn to exploring this concept with my work and creating colorful palettes with textile waste and second-hand garments as a warning to viewers of our negative impact on the planet with overconsumption, particularly fast fashion.
Your work is described as “a cautionary tale highlighting the consequences of consumerism and capitalism.” What emotions do you hope visitors will take away from the show?
Sienna Martz: I hope visitors walk away with a sense of inspiration from the artwork’s beauty, curiosity around their involvement with overconsumption, and empowerment through the knowledge that they can have a positive impact on our planet by becoming more conscious with their consumerism.
You use bright and colorful motifs to represent Earth’s warnings and the absence of color to highlight nature’s strained response. Can you share some of your artistic choices regarding color and how they contribute to the narrative of your work?
Sienna Martz: In nature, we often see colorful animals and plants that are both beautiful and inviting. But in reality, these colors are a warning to predators to stay away. I’m really drawn to exploring this concept with my work and creating colorful palettes with textile waste and second-hand garments as a warning to viewers of our negative impact on the planet with overconsumption, particularly fast fashion. In contrast, the absence of color in my work speaks to nature losing its ability to survive and thrive in a human-dominated world.
There is a huge disconnect between waste and consumers, and I think a lot of people justify their overconsumption thinking they can just donate what they no longer want. But in reality, 85% of donated clothing ends up in landfills.
You mentioned that Eva Hesse has been an aesthetic influence on your art. Can you share more about how she inspired your practice?
Sienna Martz: I first discovered Eva Hesse’s work in art school and was instantly drawn to her exploration with unusual textile manipulation and alternative materials. I admire how she really helped push the edges of fiber art beyond the realms of craft and into fine arts. Her use of repetition and organic forms also really inspired me as a young artist looking to explore similar shapes or subjects.
Photo courtesy of Patricia Trafton.
Photo courtesy of Joy Masi.
Wall sculpture for a private collection
in Palo Alto, California.
Photo courtesy of the artist.
You emphasize eco-consciousness and aim for your work to have a minimal impact on the planet. Can you tell us more about your sourcing process for materials, such as where you get the clothing from and the importance of upcycling?
Sienna Martz: I started sourcing second-hand and discarded garments after learning how 92 million tons of textile waste is produced globally every year. There is a huge disconnect between waste and consumers, and I think a lot of people justify their overconsumption thinking they can just donate what they no longer want. But in reality, 85% of donated clothing ends up in landfills.
As my art practice grows, my sustainable sourcing grows. I am currently focused on sourcing from local thrift stores and fabric deadstock online. However, in the coming years, I would like to go to textile waste facilities around the world to gather materials and connect directly with communities that are most impacted by this waste.
You talked in a video last year about expanding your machinery for larger projects. Have you already purchased a new tool, or if not, which one do you plan to acquire and why?
Sienna Martz: I’ve been expanding my studio machinery slowly over the past year, including adding a portable laser cutter to help cut my fabric shapes. However, the dream machine I am currently planning for is an industrial textile shredder. Over the past five years, I’ve saved every single scrap of fabric and this machine will allow me to turn my textile waste into a fluffy material that I can stuff my soft sculptures with.
Sienna Martz, 2024.
Organic cotton, thread, non-solvent
adhesive, wood.
39 in × 9 in × 4 in.
Photo courtesy of the artist.
Sienna Martz, 2024.
Second-hand clothing, organic
kapok fiber, recycled polyester, thread,
non-solvent adhesive, wood.
44 in × 20 in × 1.5 in.
Photo courtesy of the artist.
Your meticulous creation process and presentation on social media are notable. Can you walk us through the stages of creating one of your pieces, from finding the idea to the final product and how you market your work?
Sienna Martz: The stages of creating my sculptural works usually involve a blend of systematic decision-making and intuition. Often, I start with a process and material I want to explore that leads me to an exciting new art style at the end of its creation. Alternatively, I’ll mock up exactly what I intend to create, especially with bespoke pieces, and execute that vision from start to finish.
Once I’ve identified a specific piece or direction I want to explore, I then source my materials. This can sometimes be time-consuming when searching for high-quality sustainable alternatives to common materials, or searching for specific colors at thrift stores. But I find this time well spent knowing the artwork will be eco-friendly.
Next is the material manipulation! My art is built upon time-intensive processes that involve repetitive shapes, often inspired by traditional methods that I make into my own. The interplay between materials can often become an essential element of my art. While giving myself only a certain amount of control over the manipulation, I love letting the materials’ natural reactions to different processes take place.
In this modern age of social media, I often capture moments of my artmaking throughout the process so that I can create videos of my studio practice to share online. It can definitely be distracting at times to set up the camera for different shots, but getting to share my practice in such an intimate way with my digital community makes it so worth it. My social media content not only inspires other artists but it also gives my current and future clients a view into my practice.
I hope visitors walk away with a sense of inspiration from the artwork’s beauty, curiosity around their involvement with overconsumption, and empowerment through the knowledge that they can have a positive impact on our planet by becoming more conscious with their consumerism.
Your pieces are shown in art museums and galleries but also in corporate settings, such as hotels and consulting firms. From both an artistic and business perspective, how different has it been for you to work with a variety of clients?
Sienna Martz: Surprisingly, I find there are more similarities than differences when working with a variety of clients. Overall, there is a lot of trust and excitement with custom pieces I create for these individuals and businesses. I enjoy providing my clients with unique options designed for their space, and welcome their direction and guidance when they want to be more involved with the process which can often lead to really exciting artwork I wouldn’t have considered pursuing on my own.
I approach every commission, whether it is public or private, with a similar professional lens. I ensure that every piece receives an eco-friendly treatment that makes the artwork less flammable and reduces dust and moisture; I either hand-deliver the artwork or ship it in a custom-made crate; and I always provide a Certificate of Authenticity, a textile care guide, and a handwritten thank you card to show my appreciation.
A little while back, you mentioned on Instagram that one of your goals is writing a contemporary art book. Can you give us a sneak peek into what we can expect and how far along you are in the process?
Sienna Martz: Yes! I am currently writing a contemporary art book to be published in 2026 with Lantern Publishing & Media titled “The Ethical Fiber Artist: A Guide to Becoming a Cruelty-Free & Eco-Friendly Fiber Artist.” This coffee table-style book will feature the history of fiber arts, a comprehensive guide to plant fibers, and a deep dive into the unsustainable textile industry and its unethical treatment of workers and animals. Additionally, the book will feature exclusive interviews with vegan fiber artists from around the world and images of their incredible work.
“Echoes of Earth” opens on August 15 at Soapbox Arts, located at 266 Pine Street, Suite 119, Burlington, Vermont.
Featured image:
Sienna Martz. Photo courtesy of Joy Masi.
