Lana Crooks uses hand-dyed wool to craft the insides and outsides of the natural world. From a distance, these pieces appear to constructed of fur and bone. But upon closer inspection, the artist’s meticulous blending of wool, found objects, and other fabrics comes into focus. Crooks sometimes uses actual specimens from Chicago’s natural history museum collections for inspiration in making her “faux specimens and soft curiosities.”
“Constructing creatures from fabrics and found objects, she is a purveyor of faux specimens and soft curiosities that are a blend of science and fantasy,” a statement says. “Sought after for her pattern-making abilities, she frequently teams up with other artists to breathe three dimensional life into their illustrations, earning her two Designer Toy Awards.”
Crooks had a background in illustration before beginning the current incarnation of her career. She’s had recent shows in Chicago, New York City, San Francisco, and Minneapolis. The artist cites her interests as “ the antique, the creepy, the cute and the mysterious.”
