Teresa Shields has been involved with fabric and stitching her entire life. Often a generational discipline born out of domestic necessity and “duty”, Shields is the first in her family to consider the process of working with thread and fabric as something to be celebrated and a powerful form of self-expression. Known for her incredibly intricate embroideries of fruits, vegetables and natural forms which are made up of thousands of tiny French knots, Shields has recently started to explore form, symbolism and process through felting. 

At first glance, one may perceive her wall mounted forms as whimsical, but through further examination, the forms start to evoke a stronger, visceral experience. 

Via flora buds and pods, evidence of nature’s process of growth, reproduction, protection and decay begin to emerge. The seemingly playful appendages with vibrant colors and appealing surfaces, give way to Shields’ brilliantly masked deep and personal voice.

Teresa Shields received her BFA from Carnegie Mellon University and MFA from Massachusetts College of Art. She has shown her art in many group exhibitions in the U.S. and has won awards including first place in Madeley 2020 in Conroe TX, the Jurors Award at SDA’s Small Works: Surface Design Association at 40 in Portland, OR., and 3rd Place at the 3rd Annual Conroe Art League National Invitational Show in Conroe,TX, and the Jurors Award at Studio Channel Island’s Abundance exhibit in Camarillo, CA.