Nadya
I suspect every artist has that piece that was made when just getting through the day was a challenge. Nadya is definitely one of those pieces. While, Nadya is ingrained in my story of the horrors of Hurricane Helene’s impact on Western North Carolina, the loss of a loved one and all that followed; she is also a story of resiliency and how beauty can emerge and remain in even our darkest days.
When I began making Nadya, I had the intention of her being a subtle “storm piece.” I wanted her to be a way to express what I had been through, yet, be a piece of art that could stand on her own, without immediately shouting out “I am a very complicated and meaningful memorial of disaster and loss.” I wanted her to be seen first as a recognizable member of my flock; a beautiful white, cream and brown bird who stood straight and tall. When I began Nadya, I thought our story of fighting for survival in the aftermath of the storm was essentially over. Little did we know, it was just beginning. Even then, I never wanted her to be a sort of asterisk piece where she would be introduced as “Nadya, Michele’s Hurricane Helene piece.” She is that, but in years to come, I hope she can be just Nadya.
Nadya’s Beginnings
When I begin one of my pieces, the first decision is usually legs or no legs and how long the legs will the be. Then I decide general body and neck shaping. Everything’s very organic and if I don’t like it, I’ve been known to cut off or build out more bulk after I’ve begun.
I had a more detailed vision of Nadya from the start. Perhaps that came from sitting in a hurricane shelter for the better part of a week with nothing to do. But, pretty much everything you see was imagined in that high school gym- except the mane, that came later. And, yes, it’s a mane like a lion rather than a bird’s comb; as, sweet Nadya definitely has a fierce side.
That vision began with the body of a generic shore bird with long legs, a long neck and a short beak. I also knew her color scheme would be dark brown legs that appeared mud-stained but not actually covered in mud. I also knew most of her body would be white and clean, as if rising above the mud; showing her strength and resilience. I always saw her as emerging out rather than wallowing in.
Like most of my work, Nadya is primarily made with recycled materials. From the top of her mane to the tips of her claws, she is comprised of at least 50 different materials – some you see, others you don’t. They include everything from several different types of wire, 4 different types of beads, embroidery thread, sewing thread, felt, wool roving, fiber-fill, to numerous natural and synthetic yarns.
Nadya’s mane is made from recycled pillow trim. The trim was hand-sewn onto Nadya. I also added clusters of individual strands of the fringe to enhance shaping and add thickness.
Her furry legs are a faux-fur yarn that was wrapped on to the wire armature that created her lovely long legs and provide the support needed for her to stand un-assisted.
Her open beak is hand-embroidered and required over a dozen different yarns and materials to complete. Her body is covered in free-form crochet that I worked directly on to her so that it fits much like a scuba-suit or second skin. Many of the yarns on Nadya are from the workshops of other Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina fiber artists.
Artfields 2026
I completed Nadya in 2025 and decided to enter her into the Lake City, SC Artfields competition. It is an important regional art show and competition that invites artists from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia; to submit their work. It’s a unique event where the selected pieces are displayed in area Lake City, SC businesses – essentially, the downtown corridor becomes a giant art gallery. The event runs from April 10th, 2026 to May 2nd, 2026.
I am truly honored that Nadya is one of the 400 pieces that were chosen for this year’s event. Artfields is an amazing concept for an art show and I am so very excited to be a part of it. She will be on display, with 19 other wonderful pieces, at The Crossroads Exchange which is located at 108 East Main Street, Lake City, SC.
My submission included the following 1,000 character description:
Every fiber and feather in this sculpture tells a story that began with Helene and ended with my mother’s death 79 days later. Her light-colored threads honor Mom and the sacrifices of neighbors, who risked their lives to help us, as well as the countless volunteers who transformed a school gym into a safe haven for those reliant on electricity to survive. We returned home 11 days later, and I started working on this piece. Just 5 days after returning home, my world shrank to a chair in my mother’s hospital and rehab rooms. Eyeless and nameless, this piece kept my hands busy and her whimsical charm was already bringing smiles to those she met. Her light-colored body and flamboyant tail serve as a testament to love, strength and resilience; despite her mud-stained legs and tail. She would become Nadya; a name symbolizing hope. Nadya represents hope for a life well-lived, a future filled with new stories and hope that even in difficult times, the gift of a smile can bring light and joy.
If you are able to attend, Nadya’s entry number is 269777 and I would be truly honored if you considered voting for us.
Here’s where you can view the other amazing art that will be on display throughout Artfields and at The Crossroads Exchange. Here’s the direct link to Nadya’s page – Nadya by Michele Tway.
