Michèle Fandel Bonner’s The Herd transforms recycled clothing labels, linen, and cotton into a powerful commentary on the environmental and societal impact of fast fashion. The installation reimagines these discarded materials, exploring the connections between consumerism, identity, and waste. The clothing labels, once markers of individuality and status, now serve as a collective representation of the damage fast fashion inflicts on the world.
Bonner’s process begins when an object captures her attention, sparking an intuitive journey of collection and transformation. Often, the local community contributes to amassing the materials she needs. In The Herd, the labels and textiles speak for themselves—evoking stories of mass production, fleeting trends, and their lasting consequences on the planet.
Her mixed-media practice blends sculptural and fiber arts, evolving over time as materials and meaning intertwine. Michèle’s work has been exhibited widely, from New England to Michigan, England, Australia, and the Boston Sculptors Gallery, as an Associate Member. She is currently an Associate Member of the Cambridge Art Association. She has taught fiber techniques across New England, drawing on her background in art therapy from the University of Massachusetts. She lives and works in Marblehead, Massachusetts, where she continues to explore the intersections of material, narrative, and environmental awareness.
www.michelebonner.com
