Laura Tanzer



Laura Tanzer

About The Artist

Laura Tanzer • East Petersburg, PA
Clothing - Accessories • CUSTOM COMMISSIONS

I am a sustainability artisan, entrepreneur, textile artist, clothing engineer, and educator. I work mainly with textiles, sculpting wearable art for the body. I experiment with digital printing my art photographs on textiles and using those prints as basis for creating wearable art for both body and home. I use raw materials such as vintage and dead stock - all are natural fiber materials, such as cotton, silk, linen. I create almost no waste and teach others how to do the same in workshops at my studio and at other educational sites. My most recent experimental technique - my Frammento Collection - is one in which I sculpt with remnants, creating one-of-a-kind wearables. Frammento is the Italian word for remnant.



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Q&A with the Artist

Tell us how your work is made.

Imagine, draw, make a pattern, print photo on fabric. Drape, sculpt, sew. Add embellishments such as buttons, gemstones, ribbons, embroidery.


What makes you passionate about the medium you work with?

Being a sustainably oriented individual, I am passionate about not adding to the waste stream of the world while making my art. I find and use forgotten materials to create my art. I am also passionate about using only natural fibers and materials - while if cared for these will last a long time, they will also break down gently into the environment at the end of their lives. More than that, natural fibers, and wearable art are complementary to the human body - allowing the body to move with ease and grace, and to breathe. Man-made fibers do not do this, nor do they gently break down into the environment - they release toxins, microfibers which are harmful to all beings. Finally, my photography is digitally printed on fabrics. This is the most sustainable way to print imagery, minimizing water and energy use and waste streams by about 80% less than traditional printing processes. Why isn't more of the world printing this way?

What is something unique about you or your practice?

My eye for form and function while making art a sustainable practice.