Astrid the Ostrich

ostrich textile artist doll with big eyes and feathers looking straight at the camera

I started with an egg shape made of a rag that used to be white. To it I then added layers of black tee my neighbour has outgrown.

Wings neck legs and last feathers. Feathers harvested from a sundress, a child’s pj, a crib sheet, what else I can’t remember.

She is made up of so many places and things she can’t be one thing or another. What identity?

The wire in her neck helps her adjust positions. She now sees things from different perspectives, learning about herself through the world.

I call her Astrid.