Melbourne-based textile artist Cat Rabbit is known for her original plush toys, meant to be cherished as works of art rather than played with. “They are not suitable for young children or rough play, as they are hand-sewn and contain wire and other small parts,” states her website. Her pieces are handmade without a pattern, so that each one is different, unique in its own way.
“I first started making little plush toys for friends when I was studying at university,” Rabbit recalled in an interview with AG Gallery. “My interest in textiles grew from there and I began experimenting with embroidery and 3D felt techniques.”
Her handmade figures draw on the tradition of embroidery, doll-making, patchwork, and textile design. “I like to devise new characters all the time!” admits Rabbit. “I get an idea in my head or sketch something out and am not satisfied until I work it up into a 3D character.” The finished result appeals to both adults and children.
“I like my work to engage a wide audience, so there are elements that appeal to young children and also an older generation,” she notes. “My main objective when creating new work for exhibition is to incite feelings of comfort, joy, and nostalgia – when I make a piece that encapsulates all of these elements, I am satisfied with the work!”
Aside from her soft sculptures, Rabbit also makes books for children and other fantastical artworks with her collaborator and good pal Isobel Knowles under the name Soft Stories. Follow her Instagram page for more:
