https://www.materialmonkey.com/about daily 0.75 2021-08-25 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61083cc7c55a0072fa489922/t/611352e3e2fd6e76db50a424/1628656368270/IMG_0477x-sm.jpg Artist Statement - My Sock Monkey Obsession My interest in sock monkeys came on suddenly and without warning. As an artist working in paint, ink and textiles, I was not involved with doll-making or collecting. In the fall of 2010, I came across a boxed make-a-sock monkey kit. I wanted to make monkeys, not sweet and predictable, but dark and troubled and totally original. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61083cc7c55a0072fa489922/t/6113581544c9ea16cdfb3cf2/1628657692610/IMG_2575x-15inches-120dpi.jpg Artist Statement The first rebellious monkey I made was a gift to my twenty-something son, Jim. He named that doll “Ronnie Singer – the Poo Flinger.” Ronnie Singer sported a Mohawk haircut, tattoos, earrings, leather vest, blue jeans and attitude. My daughter, Lauren, requested a retro-hippie, headband wearing earth mother whom she named Cher. Cher looked after Ronnie during his “bad times” with patience and love. They were the classic co-dependent and enabling couple. From these first dolls, a collection of more than 70 sock monkeys has evolved. I have become the all-powerful creator of unique individuals living in their own monkey world. I discovered that I could make a pair of socks look like anything I could imagine. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61083cc7c55a0072fa489922/t/611359102aea584297d19686/1628657954154/IMG_4124-crop-5x7-300dpi.jpg Artist Statement - Is this Art and Craft? My answer is: “yes, this collection of sock monkey items is an art installation.” From my art school years I sussed out my own personal answer to that question: it is art if the creating artist calls it art. End of discussion. I declare these soft sculpture humanoids, original, signed and one-of-a-kind as “art.” Is this collection craft? This work leans heavily on handicraft. But these figures are a form of higher artistic expression because they originate from thoughtful observation and reflection, with a cultural and art historical context. These figures serve as anthropomorphic actors in an archetypal play of individuation, self-identity and stereotypes, existential angst and the search for life purpose as well as pointing toward contemporary socio-economic, political and pop cultural themes. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61083cc7c55a0072fa489922/t/6113595ec4ea72172c1a7618/1628658031986/IMG_3609-colorweb.jpg Artist Statement - The Final Goal Bringing this collection of re-purposed socks to your attention has been my goal for the last 11 years. But my greatest pleasure will be realized if these humble creations have brought a smile to your face or a laugh of recognition. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61083cc7c55a0072fa489922/t/610851d358f4c17f04aa46d6/1558965382740/MHeiderich_ReflexionenZwei-05-copy.jpg Artist Statement https://www.materialmonkey.com/our-team daily 0.75 2021-09-09 https://www.materialmonkey.com/contact daily 0.75 2021-08-11 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61083cc7c55a0072fa489922/t/611354daf518305adec1d7ec/1558965382740/MHeiderich_ReflexionenZwei-05-copy.jpg Contact https://www.materialmonkey.com/work-1 daily 1.0 2021-09-09 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61083cc7c55a0072fa489922/t/6139598e26fa8a281711d0c2/1631148490366/IMG_1213-juggler-5.25x7.25-300dpi.jpg Material Monkey Material Monkey takes the classic sock monkey to a new level with the introduction of pose-able, one-of-a-kind monkeys. The humble sock has been elevated to art with thoughtful caricatures of famous personalities or recognizable social stereotypes. With internal armatures for support, these pose-able monkeys can stand on their own, hold a position, or participate in an activity, such as snow boarding or rock climbing. Each Material Monkey creation is hand made by British Columbia/California artist Elaine Rudser. These soft sculpture works are unique and collectible. All new materials are used to construct the monkey body, with a wide variety of embellishments used to create the unique personality of each doll. https://www.materialmonkey.com/work-1/project-four-g8wjb monthly 0.5 2021-08-11 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61083cc7c55a0072fa489922/t/611388b0f94f040c043e4313/1628670136632/IMG_5258-sm.jpg Material Monkey - Rory's Story - Rory’s Story Rory is from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, by way of many adventures - north and south of the 59th parallel. https://www.materialmonkey.com/work-1/project-two-7s2r3 monthly 0.5 2021-09-09 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61083cc7c55a0072fa489922/t/61137b2cb7dd2d054f14351c/1628666681915/IMG_0726-ferris-wheel-wide-close-SideBySide-sm.jpg Material Monkey - Gallery Show: Wonder Fair https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61083cc7c55a0072fa489922/t/61086f80453cf233243594a8/1627942791168/Wonder-Fair-Ad-1024x676.png Material Monkey - Gallery Show: Wonder Fair - Gallery Show: Wonder Fair Kimberley, BC February 2-27, 2016 https://www.materialmonkey.com/work-1/project-three-xr3bl monthly 0.5 2021-08-02 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61083cc7c55a0072fa489922/t/6113805bc03c5113bbbacf26/1628668014318/IMG_1886-edit-sm.jpg Material Monkey - Felt Work - Felt Felt is Fun! https://www.materialmonkey.com/work-1/project-one-543fl monthly 0.5 2021-08-02 https://www.materialmonkey.com/work-1/christmas monthly 0.5 2021-08-11 https://www.materialmonkey.com/work-1/scientists monthly 0.5 2021-09-09 https://www.materialmonkey.com/work-1/paintings monthly 0.5 2021-09-09 https://www.materialmonkey.com/work-1/sepia monthly 0.5 2021-09-09