Paula Kovarik: Stitching as meditation and protest

Memphis-based fiber artist Paula Kovarik creates layered quilted and sculptural works by cutting up her own quilts and repurposing them as raw material. Her practice channels memory, politics and the news cycle into stitch and line, favouring process over finished product. In this conversation, she reflects on her evolving 3D work, a recent Japan residency, and the day she took a chainsaw to a piece in protest.

Show Notes

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Destruction can be an act of renewal. Paula sometimes cuts up, and even takes a chainsaw to, her own finished quilts to free the material for something new. Where might letting go open space in your own practice?

• Process matters more than the finished piece. Paula measures success by whether the making felt right, not by exhibitions or sales. Staying anchored to process can protect your creative joy.

• Discomfort can sharpen your practice. A residency in Japan left Paula without her usual sewing setup, pushing her toward large scale drawing instead. Stepping outside your usual tools can open new directions.

• Materials carry memory and meaning. Paula channels news, politics and daily anxieties into her stitching, and repurposes old quilts as raw material for new statements. What do your own materials already hold?

• Just start, even without a plan. When she feels stuck, Paula does something small, like sweeping the studio or wrapping thread around sticks, rather than waiting for inspiration to arrive.

During the live interview, we shared some images of Paula’s artwork. Since you’re listening to the podcast version, we’ve made these images available for you below. 

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Explore the images from this episode: