These sculptures unravel the hidden meanings behind material belongings

On first glance, John Saint Michel’s teddy bear sculptures are comforting and nostalgic. But beneath their familiar forms lies a more complex meaning – an exploration of childhood memories, trauma, and transformation. These hand-knitted objects are part of Round and Round, a project that symbolises trauma’s cyclical nature, weaving fragility and resilience into a tactile reflection on early experiences.

Based between Melbourne/Naarm and Paris, John’s practise spans installation, fashion, film, and printmaking, using a range of materials like found objects, industrial remnants and textiles. The artist was once understudy to designer Josephus Thimister (former artistic director of Balenciaga), and is influenced by the intersection of art and fashion. One series, Inside Job, repurposes crates for art transportation into wardrobes for luxury shoes and handbags. By transforming materials used to transport valuable items, the work critiques consumerism and the commodification of fashion and art, questioning how society defines worth and authenticity.

As a curator, John has also produced exhibitions on the relationship between art and fashion, blending historical artefacts with contemporary pieces. His practice also extends into book publishing, but whatever the medium, he’s always deeply engaged with the emotional meanings behind material culture – a welcome invitation to look closer at the objects that populate our own worlds too.