“Unravelling Consumption: Saskia Saunders on Sustainability and Slow Making"

Saskia Saunders: Weaving Sustainability, Nature, and Conscious Creation

In the intricate texture of her weavings, Saskia Saunders creates more than just fabric—she weaves narratives of nature, sustainability, and conscious creation. With a deep commitment to environmental stewardship, Saunders has reshaped her practice over the years, transitioning to plant-based, vegan yarns while allowing her art to reflect the natural world’s quiet strength and cyclical rhythms. In a recent conversation, she reflected on the journey toward an environmentally attuned artistic process, offering insights into the sources of her inspiration, the materials she now uses, and the profound emotional resonance that each thread carries.

Saul: Sustainability is clearly a core principle of your practice. How has this ethos shaped both your lifestyle and your artistic approach?

Saskia: Sustainability is woven into every aspect of my life. My environmental awareness evolved gradually—from conscious choices about the food I ate to how I approached my work as an artist. It was a slow, deliberate process of questioning and refining my materials. Initially, I worked with fibers that satisfied both my aesthetic and structural needs—horsehair, wool, and others. But as I researched their environmental impact, I began to remove them from my practice. This transition wasn’t sudden—it was a slow evolution, one that gave me the time to seek sustainable alternatives that aligned with my values.

Over time, I phased out animal-based fibers, followed by synthetic ones, focusing entirely on plant-based, vegan yarns. Alongside material choice, I also explored the broader implications of fiber production. For example, I became aware of cotton’s water-intensive nature and found solace in materials like linen and hemp—both of which offer sustainability and enrich my work with unique textures and depth. This shift was transformative for me, reinforcing the idea that every artistic decision is consequential, that the materials I choose matter just as much as the piece itself.

Saul: One piece that stands out to me is Endlessly Ours. Can you walk me through the inspiration behind it and how the piece came to life?

Saskia: Endlessly Ours emerged from a transformative experience along the rugged eastern coastline of England. At the time, I was in need of space—space to reconnect with myself and the world around me. There is something undeniably restorative about the sea: its vastness, its shifting moods, its constant ability to humble and renew. I realized that the conventional rectangular or square formats I was accustomed to felt limiting. The ocean demanded something more fluid, more encompassing. It led me to experiment with circular forms—symbols of wholeness, continuity, and the endless cycle of nature.

The palette for this series was inspired directly by the landscape itself: the delicate gradient of sky meeting sea, the deep blues of the water, and the striking black of coastal rock formations. In the weaving process, I manipulated the fabric—pleating, ruffling, and folding—to mirror the organic movement of waves and tides. What fascinates me is the way viewers interpret the work. Many people see water, even in pieces inspired by trees. I find it beautiful that nature’s fluidity—whether it be the sea, the forest, or the sky—can manifest in multiple forms through texture and structure.

Saul: Do you find a significant difference in creating work inspired by the sea versus the forest, or are they interconnected for you?

Saskia: The energies of these landscapes are distinct, and each profoundly influences my work in different ways. The forest is an intimate, grounding space—it offers protection, a sense of rootedness. The trees possess a quiet, ancient presence, and there is a feeling of being held within something vast yet enclosed. In contrast, the sea is expansive and commanding. It offers no containment, only horizon after horizon. It can be calm and serene, or fierce and unpredictable—its ever-shifting moods mirror the ebb and flow of our experiences.

These contrasting energies influence how I approach texture, form, and structure in my weavings. The forest, with its intricate, organic details, inspires me to create delicate, detailed textures. Meanwhile, the sea demands fluidity and movement. Its vast openness calls for a sense of expansiveness and freedom in the work. Each environment, with its unique character, provides a distinct set of emotions and structures that guide my hand as I weave.

Saul: Through your conversation, it’s clear that sustainability is deeply ingrained in your practice. What do you hope to achieve with your work in relation to the broader conversation around sustainability in the art world?

Saskia: Sustainability is a driving force in both my creative practice and my life. My hope is that by sharing my approach and the choices I’ve made, I can spark a conversation about the intersection of art, sustainability, and environmental responsibility. I believe that if more artists can consciously integrate these principles into their work, we can make a significant impact on how the art world engages with the environment. For me, sustainability is not just a trend—it’s a necessity.

I hope that by incorporating sustainable materials and methods, I can show that ethical artistry doesn’t have to compromise beauty or creativity. It is possible to create work that resonates with meaning and still respects the planet. Through my art, I aim to offer a connection not only to the natural world but also to a more sustainable way of living—one that is both mindful and intentional.

Saul: Your work feels so deeply connected to the landscapes that inspire it. Do you see your process as an act of translation—of transforming the natural world into something personal and tangible?

Saskia: Absolutely. My practice is about translating the emotions and energy of the natural world into something that feels personal, tangible, and intimate. The process is a form of dialogue between me and the landscape. I don't just want to represent nature; I want to embody it—to reflect its textures, its rhythms, its moods. In each piece, there is a conversation between the material, the landscape, and myself.

Ultimately, my goal is to create work that invites personal interpretation. Each viewer might experience the piece differently, depending on their own relationship with nature. In a way, my work becomes a bridge—connecting the viewer to their own experiences of the natural world, and encouraging them to see it with fresh eyes. Through texture, form, and material, I hope to evoke a deeper emotional connection to the environment and inspire a more mindful approach to both art and life.

Through her intentional use of plant-based, sustainable materials and her deep connection to the landscapes that inspire her, Saskia Saunders demonstrates that art can be both beautiful and ecologically responsible. In her weavings, which bridge the intimate energies of the forest and the vast expanses of the sea, she offers not just an aesthetic experience, but an invitation to engage more thoughtfully with the world around us. As she continues to explore new structural possibilities, Saunders proves that sustainability and artistic depth are not only compatible but, in fact, intrinsically linked.