In Optimistic Pessimist, I offer “beautiful things” that soothe and sustain—alongside themes of connection and possibility. Inspired by organic forms, cracks in the chaos, and networks like mycelium, these pieces invite reflection and stillness in unstable times.
Optimistic Pessimist: New Works in Felt
Anni Albers said she strove to “make something that is lasting, something that survives the terrible happenings of the day. Look around you and see what is surviving through the centuries—it is the beautiful things, and it is not wars.”
In Optimistic Pessimist, I offer “beautiful things” that soothe and sustain—alongside themes of connection and possibility. Inspired by organic forms, cracks in the chaos, and networks like mycelium, these pieces invite reflection and stillness in unstable times.
These works create a quiet space to notice glimmers and openings. Leonard Cohen wrote, “There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” Brokenness is not hopelessness. Through experimentation with felt—cut, painted, waxed, sculpted—I’ve created pieces that feel like small sanctuaries. Their warmth, softness, and organic structure suggest an unseen network of community and resilience.
I hope this series is both a balm and a blueprint: a place to pause, reflect, and imagine what comes next.
About the Artist
Christine Sullivan is a conceptual, interdisciplinary artist whose work often focuses on textile, language, feminism, and community. In 2019, after a successful career as a graphic designer in New York—with arts institutions like the Guggenheim Museum—Sullivan relocated to Lamy, New Mexico, where she now focuses exclusively on her art practice.
Her work has since been featured on a SITE Santa Fe billboard, in public art projects in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, and in community-driven initiatives such as her “Felt During COVID” project. Optimistic Pessimist marks her third exhibition at Aurelia Gallery.
