Meet Vegan Artist Saskia Saunders
What’s a vegan artist? How is their creative process different? We asked Saskia Saunders for answers
By Bec Gregory
It’s official: sustainable art is now a thing. In fact, there has been so much demand for info on sustainable art, we did an article on it. But what about ‘vegan art’?
We caught up with vegan fine artist Saskia Saunders to get some answers. This is one visual artist who is weaving her way toward a more sustainable future in harmony with nature.
A Bit About Saskia
Saskia’s textured artworks are made entirely from plant-based fibres. They explore important global themes such as climate change, sustainability, well-being, and our connection to nature.
For instance, her ‘Their Bravery Knew No End’ collection honours the “gentle, yet powerful” trailblazers tackling climate change, whilst the Peace in Rest series serves as a heartfelt reminder about the importance of rest for both physical and mental wellbeing.
Other artworks, such as ‘True Strength is Gentle’ are inspired by being in nature, with this commissioned piece capturing the feeling of joy and wellbeing felt when reconnecting with the ancient beech woodlands near her home. “It is a bittersweet ode to the awe-inspiring beauty of some of the last remaining ancient trees in the UK,” she explains.
Working from her garden studio in the Chiltern Hills, England, Saskia creates original vegan art collections and bespoke commissions for clients, designers and galleries worldwide.
In our conversation, we get an inside look at Saskia’s creative process, her approach to conscious living, a typical day in her studio, and of course, we learn what vegan art is!
EH: What is vegan art?
Saskia Saunders: It is, of course, artwork that uses no animal products. These could include anything from animal hair used in brushes, to animal parts used in paints.
EH: We’d love to know more about how you came to work as a vegan fine artist. Can you give us a glimpse into your journey so far?
Saskia Saunders: Since my 20’s I had been trying to eat more healthily. I was inspired by whole food plant-based eating, but it was a long journey for me, slowly adapting my diet. I finally went fully vegetarian about 7 years ago and vegan not long after. And I personally felt so much better.
As I learnt more about the positive environmental impact of plant-based eating I realised how it was important for me that my art practice reflected my values. I stopped using animal fibres and synthetic fibres. I now exclusively use plant-based fibres with the lowest environmental impact. These include hemp, linen, nettle and paper.
EH: Can you share some of the ways your ethical values have inspired you most as an artist?
Saskia Saunders: My work and life values are deeply intertwined. Veganism is part of my holistic approach to well-being, both physical and mental. By eating and consuming more naturally I do less harm to my body, animals and the planet.
I see this as part of my minimalist approach to life. I am always asking myself how I can pare back to the essence of something. For example just using a few yarn types, eating only plants, choosing time in nature.
People have asked me if these values restrict me, but I find them incredibly freeing. It removes decision paralysis and helps everything feel aligned.
EH: What is the most rewarding aspect of aligning your ethical values with your artwork?
Saskia Saunders: Knowing that my artwork can strike a chord with someone. Sometimes it is such a joyful thing for them to have an artwork that reflects their sustainable values and becomes part of their intentional life.
Sometimes it is more about opening up a conversation. Clients and collectors know these are my values. And as I have a gentle approach, they feel they can talk to me about things such as veganism, sustainability, or well-being. Because I don’t judge people. I would rather that they make one small positive step, rather than make no changes. My artwork can become part of someone’s journey, which is a true honour.
EH: Please tell us more about your weaving style and your favourite plant-based yarns you work with. And are there any specific weaving traditions or techniques that influence your artwork?
Saskia Saunders: I create exclusively with plant-based fibres, primarily using hemp, linen, paper and nettle yarns. These have the least environmental impact. I avoid using cotton, for example, because of the excessive use of water in its production. And I weave in the simplest style – a plain weave.
The ‘magic’ happens with my work when the weaving is taken off the loom and manipulated, creating textures and organic details in the artworks.
EH: Can you offer us an insight into your creative and technical processes when you begin a collection?
Saskia Saunders: The start of a new project usually starts with a natural place as a focus point. Recent collections have included the ancient forest on land near my home, a secret public garden, and the beautiful grounds of a nearby luxury hotel. I explore in detail, taking images, sketching and writing. Describing the place and how it makes me feel is important.
All of this becomes part of a sketchbook, which might also include inspiring images from a recent exhibition I’ve been to, bits of fabrics and papers and natural finds. I then select yarns that best reflect the project and start experimenting on the loom.
EH: How do the meanings or narratives of your pieces tend to manifest?
Saskia Saunders: Right from the beginning I usually have a strong feeling of what is important to the collection. I read a lot, fiction, poetry and non-fiction, so ideas and words often come through from ideas bubbling in my mind.
I jot it all down in my sketchbook and as the project progresses these ideas tend to crystallise. The titles of artworks often come from some of these early writings. Every piece is a true exploration of intellectual and visual exploration.
EH: What is your concept-to-creation process like? How long can it take to create a piece of your artwork?
Saskia Saunders: Each piece can take weeks to complete, but overall collections take at least 6 months in the making. I need to have time to reflect on the work at each stage, and sometimes fabrics I’ve woven have even gone in a box for a year before it’s the right time for them to come out and be used!
With commissions it’s easier to work to a client’s time scale because commissions are usually inspired by a piece I’ve already created. About 50% of my work is bespoke commissions for designers and collectors, I love this collaborative part of my work.
EH: Weaving has a fascinating spiritual history, especially for women. How do the spiritual/ sacred dimensions of weaving support your artwork?
Saskia Saunders: Weaving is such a mindful process, it’s an invitation to connect the body and mind and slow down. It also embodies the spiritual feelings that I personally connect with when I’m in the forest. Mother Earth, the feminine concept of birth, nourishment and sacred life is very important to me.
In our busy, noisy consumerist world, both weaving and walking in the forest allow me to access something deeper, more connected to our natural world. It’s hard to put into words because it seems so out of step with modern day living, but I feel deeply drawn to a more natural, mindful, simpler way of living.
EH: Your artwork is commissioned by luxury hotels and for luxury homes. How have your clients responded to its vegan nature?
Saskia Saunders: I find people to be very open minded and appreciative of the message of my work. How deeply it touches them depends upon their values and where they are on their journey; for example, some clients appreciate the natural materials, whereas some appreciate that it’s vegan, even if they aren’t themselves.
I have exhibited my work with some amazing vegan hospitality venues such as Hilton Bankside London, which has a vegan hotel suite, and Gauthier Soho, the vegan fine dining restaurant, and the response has been very positive.
EH: Can you share any thoughts or experiences on art and activism within the vegan community?
Saskia Saunders: My personal approach is gentle activism, inspiring through positive change and showing how things can be done. I am inspired by individuals and organisations who lead this way, in fact my most popular collection to date ‘Their Bravery Knew No End’, is a poetic expression of gratitude for the gentle, yet powerful, trailblazers leading the way in tackling our climate crisis.
Textile artists such as Sienna Martz and Vanessa Barrago also work in this way, and I love their beautiful work and their message. I think that art has a very important role in activism, because it evokes emotion in people. To be able to tackle the climate crisis, rather than be overwhelmed by it, we need to connect not only to facts, but to how we feel about ourselves and our planet.
EH: What are you currently working on or being called to create next?
Saskia Saunders: I’m currently working on two commissions for a client’s newly built second home and a photoshoot in a nearby luxury hotel. My dream next project is a land-portrait, for a client to commission me to create an artwork inspired by their grounds, land or special forest place.
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