Saboteuse

35 complex and labor-intensive processes comprise the craft of handmade footwear. This knowledge is difficult to acquire; few schools remain and few practicing artisans can train apprentices. After acquiring this specialized knowledge one must dedicate years of practice just to adequately execute these construction techniques. Material needs and specialized hand-tools are challenging to attain. These conditions define the rarity of footwear craft.

Handmade footwear straddles the worlds of art, craft, design, and apparel without any discipline claiming this complex and unique set of processes. I have honed my craft to create works of deliberate art that are realized with the sophisticated techniques of cordwainery (traditional term for shoemaking).

My work exhibits a thorough knowledge of Western side-seamed boot construction melded with British shoemaking traditions such as last-carving (form around which footwear is made) and hand-welting soles. They showcase a controlled manipulation of leather, skill in machine and hand-sewing, last-making techniques, patternmaking, material discernments, and hand-embroidery. I hand-carved and lost-wax cast the aluminum components myself, as a Master Knitter I designed and hand-knit textile components with precision and deliberate intent.

These pieces exist by virtue of the soul of a rare craft but aspire to the transcendental nature of Art.  The process of creating these pieces is integrally tied to the space in which I work.  I am migrating toward executing my craft in public spaces as a work of performance art. Exposure to how and where art is made is critical to the survival of handmade footwear craft.