Net-Work by Adrian Baker

Net-Work is a socially-engaged fibre art installation that has drawn widespread interest and participation across Canada and worldwide. Embodying the vast underground webs of mycorrhizal fungi and roots that enable symbiotic tree interaction, this collaborative project functions as a collective expression of care for our non-human kin.

Baker has been inviting the public to participate by crafting long, fibrous “strands” using re-purposed yarn or textile as their medium. To date, over 300 strands have been created by a diverse range of participants including artists, fibre guild members, and amateur crafters. The strands – each up to 4.5 meters long – are woven, knitted, crocheted, braided, and stitched using hand-spun & dyed wool, synthetic yarns, fabric remnants, reeds, fleece, jute, burlap, plastic, wire, shells and beads.

The installation of hundreds of colourful, interwoven strands encompassing the entire gallery will enable visitors to walk among the strands, suggesting the experience of moving through a huge underground network of roots and fungi.

Baker considers this community-engaged project to be a creative form of environmental activism. Promoting discourse on our mutualistic relationship with nature, and with each other, can be the impetus for new concepts and constructive solutions.