Dr Cox creates mixed-media botanical sculptures woven, stitched and threaded with wire and beads of glass, wood, stone or clay. Her flower sculptures have developed into activated, surreal creatures. These deconstructed sculptures have exposed twists of wire and a transparent mesh core. She is instinctively drawn to some materials, which are historically feminine, such as beadwork and fabric, after growing up around dance schools and costumes, with a strong seamstress line of several generations on her mother’s side.
Her art practice is inspired by the forms and colours of nature and she has a passion for environmental issues. Over 2022-2023 she was commissioned by Hobson’s Bay City Council to create an outdoor installation for the Dear Agnes Project, inspired by A forest for Australia (Agnes Denes). She produced a large group of botanical sculptures inspired by rare Banksia plants, which were installed with curve stitched circular forms under a tree canopy.
Dr Michelle Cox completed her studies at the Sydney College of Arts, where she obtained an Honours degree in Visual Arts. She loves working with colour and pattern, including the mathematical symmetry and spirals which are found in nature. Wire of different colours is used to draw botanical creatures in 3-D space, with an exploration of form and material from a range of beads.
Michelle has explored science in her art videos, incorporating play with magnets and handmade lo-fi craft props. She extends her love of science into her art practice from memories of Physics classes at University. Her art videos have a childlike joy and humour. The magnets surprise the viewer as they collect metal, bounce and fall. Her prop designs are like retro pinball machines. She draws with magnets or balls dipped in paint, coloured powder down paper rolls, with explorations of gravity.
The sculpture is made of aluminium wire in a range of colours, wooden beads, glass beads, steel mesh, tape and plastic tubing.