Alexandria Masse: In the Garden

In the Garden presents new work by 2023 RBC Emerging Artist in Residence Alexandria Masse.

In the Garden is a collection of insects that are both native and invasive. Each one is inspired by an existing insect found in Masse’s backyard and scaled up to giant proportions. Utilizing scale to accentuate details not often caught by the naked eye, the works aim to familiarize the viewers with living creatures that we wouldn’t normally pause to explore.

Each of these insects are made using traditional techniques, such as sewing and crocheting. Masse’s crochet insects are a way to reclaim craft practices that are traditionally handed down between women. This use of domestic craft is intentional: Masse aims to show how valuable knowledge can be transferred matrilineally. In the Garden balances the aesthetic of the natural history museum against the materiality of crocheted insects. In Masse’s show, craft is as much a science as entomology, or the study of insects. Both help us to understand the natural world, and our impact on it. The artist would like to acknowledge the support of the OAC Exhibition Assistance Program.

This exhibition is generously supported by the RBC Foundation’s Emerging Artist Project.

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About the artist: Alexandria Masse

Alexandria Masse (m-AH-see) (she/her) (b. 2000) is an artist that often works with textiles and fibres to construct wearable art. Masse holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Textiles/Fashion with a Minor in Art History at NSCAD University. She was born and raised in Wawiiatanong (“Windsor, ON, Canada”).

Masse works with fibre and fabric to construct wearable art. She is fascinated by how a material can be manipulated and uses sewing, knitting and crochet to make soft sculptures and wearables. In addition, her constant battle with racial imposter syndrome drives her to discover new ways to cherish and reclaim her culture within her work. Masse often works with subject matter inspired by her mothers culture and insects from her backyard. She establishes connections between childhood memories and relates them to present day experiences. As a woman in craft, she constantly finds herself challenging the preconceived notion of textiles and craft. Masse utilizes crochet and sewing to connect and continue the matriarchal traditions of craft in her family.