From 1.8 million years ago to the present day, fiber arts is one of the oldest art forms in human existence. What initially emerged as a practical skill has evolved into a celebrated form of artistic expression. Each stitch, weave, and fold of fabric tells stories and traditions, reflects emotional experiences, preserves cultural identities, and fosters community connections—all while paving the way for contemporary art.
The Ethical Fiber Artist invites us to consider the future of sustainable art-making with fiber. It urges a reflection on the complexities of modern life while honoring the ancestral roots of fiber arts. Although there is increasing awareness of sustainability within the textile industry, particularly in fashion, there remains a gap between the materials fiber artists utilize and the environmental and animal exploitation associated with their production. To create responsibly, artists must seek sustainable plant fibers and innovative modern materials as alternatives to environmentally harmful options.
This educational guidebook is designed for fiber artists and designers who are committed to integrity and sustainability in their art practice. The Ethical Fiber Artist features Gilli Bluejay, Maria João Gomes, Sienna Martz, Mélodie Nicolle, Saskia Saunders, Arlette Ngung, Rae Swon, and Ana Marcia Valera who provide a rich history of fiber arts; essential insights into the textile industry’s environmental footprint, animal and human exploitation; a comprehensive resource list of plant-based fibers and innovative materials; and highlights eight pioneering vegan fiber artists. This guide serves as a valuable resource for anyone striving to become a low-impact fiber artist and designer.
“I have followed Sienna Martz’s work in contemporary fiber art with great interest. Her practice shows a strong commitment to material exploration, environmental awareness, and respect for textile traditions. The Ethical Fiber Artist is a timely contribution to conversations around sustainable materials. It offers both thoughtful ideas and practical guidance for artists, designers, and makers who are working more consciously with textiles. This book will be a valuable resource for those who want to better understand the environmental and ethical impact of their materials and to work more responsibly in their practice.”—Dr. Young Yang Chung, textile historian and master embroiderer
“I’ve been following Sienna’s work in textiles for years, and knowing how dedicated she is to the environmental impact of textiles as a fiber artist, I also see how her work can be a guide to fashion designers and makers who are thinking more critically about materials and sustainability. More broadly, the book explores ethical material sourcing, plant-based fibers, and the environmental and social impact of textiles, while also offering practical insights for artists working with these materials. It is a must read for anyone considering working with textiles.”—Courtney Barringer, fashion designer, author of ReFashion Workshop
“Sienna Martz has spent her career demonstrating that ethical practice and artistic excellence do not need to live in tension. I had the privilege of working alongside her at PETA, organizing campaigns against the fur, wool, and leather industries while she was already building the vision that would take her across galleries the world over. The Ethical Fiber Artist distills everything she’s lived: the research, conviction, and creative intelligence to give artists the language and tools to follow. This book is for anyone who senses that how we make things and what we leave behind is inseparable from the work itself.”—Christina Sewell, Sustainability and Corporate Accountability Specialist
“The Ethical Fiber Artist is a timely and thought-provoking guide that challenges artists to align their work with compassion and integrity. By exposing how greenwashing is used to market animal-derived fibers as ‘sustainable,’ it reveals the hidden environmental and ethical costs of using animals’ wool, fur, hair, and skin. Through practical guidance and inspiring examples, it empowers artists to embrace innovative, vegan options. This is an essential resource for anyone seeking to create art that reflects a commitment to sustainability, honesty, and kindness.”—Ashley Byrne, Director of Outreach at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
“In a time of political upheaval and worsening climate change, Sienna Martz’s book is a most effective form of creative prescriptiveness for the untapped potential of what the fiber arts have to offer as sources of creative sustainability. Written in an accessible style, her text gives the full life cycle of fibers, from the moment of natural inception to transformation into material substance. Furthermore, Martz speaks from her experiences as a Contemporary artist in how she employs fibrous materials as an active stance in bettering the environment while also giving voice to many other artists who work with similar eco-minded values. The Ethical Fiber Artist is a much needed book for today’s art and sustainability readership as there has been a seismic lacuna in more rigorous texts on the necessity of fiber arts.”—Liam Otero, Art Critic and New York Editor of Whitehot Magazine of Contemporary Art
“Although textiles have remained a vibrant medium of human expression for millennia, their manufacture has become one of the world’s most environmentally damaging industries. The Ethical Fiber Artist provides an insightful and beautifully illustrated primer for artists and designers seeking sustainable, socially responsible approaches. Including a brief history of fiber arts; an overview of the textile industry’s negative environmental and social impacts; a descriptive list of natural and bio-engineered sustainable fibers; and case studies of eight artists and educators committed to values-driven, eco-friendly practice, The Ethical Fiber Artist outlines innovative but historically-grounded strategies for creating responsibly. Informative as well as thought-provoking, this publication offers a valuable resource for textile artists, designers, and collectors who prioritize ethical and sustainable materials and methods.”—Lee Talbot, Senior Curator for Exhibitions and Textile Museum Collections, The George Washington University Museum