MeWeFree | A Word With Artist Ed Mironiuk About His "Felt Cute" Exhibit

As the COVID-19 pandemic persists, people and industries are forced to adapt to the new normal as uncertainty lingers. The art world is also forced to adjust itself to closed galleries and cancelled/postponed exhibits. Many galleries have gone digital. Some have 3D virtual walkthroughs available and others have started posting images of pieces in website exhibits. Though not as satisfying as seeing the artwork in person, it can still be consumed and enjoyed from afar.

As my quest for fire art toys that the streets need (“the streets” = me) continues, one exhibit that caught my eye comes from Gallery1988, a pop culture art gallery located on Melrose in Los Angeles. The show is titled “Felt Cute” and features 8” tall pop culture-inspired, one-of-a-kind plush figures by New York artist Ed Mironiuk. Mironiuk used the art of needle felting to bring 15 characters to life such as Mr. T, Gilligan, Chuckie from the Child’s Play movies, a bloated Violet from Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, a Flying Monkey from The Wizard Of Oz to name a few. The softness of each character coupled with the gleeful, teeth-bearing facial expressions is welcoming and the elite craftsmanship make them coveted pieces; so coveted that most of the pieces have been sold already for hundreds of dollars apiece.

You may not be familiar with the craft of needle felting (I wasn’t either). Some quick research revealed that in this discipline, artisans use specialized felting needles and materials like wool to create 3D sculptures, jewelry, adornments and 2D art. Bear Creek Felting describes the process:

Needle felting is begun by rolling up a small amount of wool and stabbing it with the needle. When the wool is stabbed with the felting needle it pulls the wool into itself. By stabbing the wool with the needle over and over while turning the wool it continues to pull wool into itself and the wool, with its tiny scales, locks together. Continued stabbing and turning results in a firm round shape. Once there is a basic shape to start with wool is added where it is needed to form a sculpture.

Peep the video below to see the process in action:

For a little background on Mironiuk, he received a bachelor's degree in Fine Art from Parson's School of Design in NYC. After graduating, he took work as an illustrator for publications like Tattoo and Easyrider and as an animator. It was during this time that he fell in love with fellow artist Kristin Tercek a.k.a. Cuddly Rigor Mortis (who also currently has an exhibit at Gallery 1988). They quickly married and launched Cha-Pow!, an animation ink and paint company known for its projects with MTV, Nickelodeon, and Saturday Night Live.

Feeling like his career in illustration had run its course, Mironiuk recently changed his medium to needle felting. He has clearly masted the artform judging from the intricacy and accurate depictions of his work featured in the “Felt Cute” exhibit and on his site.

I sat down with Ed Mironiuk for an exclusive interview about the exhibit and his career in needle felting.:

At what point in life did you discover you were a talented artist?

I always liked to draw as a kid. I don’t know if I thought I was talented, it was just what I did.

Who are some of your influences artistically?

When I was doing illustration work, I was really into the lowbrow and pinup stuff like Robert Williams, Joe Coleman, Alberto Vargas and George Petty. Plus photographers like Gunter Blum and Romaine Slocombe. Now, I really get inspired by animation like Rick and Morty or artists like Takashi Murakami, my wife Kristin Tercek a.k.a. Cuddly Rigor Mortis and Friends With You.

Why did you feel your career in illustration had run its course?

Pardon the pun but I painted myself in a corner. After almost 20 years of drawing bizarro book covers, fetish pinups and tattoo magazine illustrations, the well ran dry. Plus, the subject matter didn’t have the same edge to it that it did when I started.

How did you get into needle felting?

I needed to take a break so I focused on helping my wife. Her plate was really full with her doing work for Disney plus doing shows. I took over her print production and orders. Eventually, I realized I needed a hobby and decided to give needle felting a stab. That was almost three years ago.

What is it about needle felting that made you make it your new thing? What do you love about it?

I was used to illustrating on the computer and being able to create a tangible piece of art in the real world was a major bonus. Also learning to look at/make something that is 3D changed the way I consider shape and form.

I saw on Instagram that you said making the nipples on the Incredible Hulk doll was the hardest part. What are some of the biggest challenges to needle felting?

Hah! Naw, I was just kidding. The nipples were super easy (first time I’ve ever said that). Probably the biggest challenge is felting areas that are hard to get the needle into because of the angle. Between legs, under arms or just a hole can get tricky. Tiny little items are a pain simply because my fingers get in the way and I don’t want to stab myself.

Needlefelting isn’t a traditional medium for art. In your eyes, what makes it art?

It’s interesting. I learned that needle felting wasn’t even a medium until the ’80s. So, it’s pretty new. I think it’s just a matter of time before more artists exploit it.

Why did you choose 1988 Gallery for your show? What place do you think pop culture art museums hold in the art world?

I had shown in a few group shows at 88. My wife (Borat voice) had a solo show there and we collaborated on a few pieces for [it]. They went over really well and they asked me if I wanted to have my first solo there last year.

I think pop art is equally as important as fine art. If it creates an emotional response it’s doing something.

What was your inspiration for making the pieces you did for the Felt Cute show?

I was doing a lot of cute food and wanted to push myself a little bit by paying homage to some of my favorite characters.

What factors into the pricing of your pieces?

It really comes down to time and detail. These guys take a loooong time to felt, plus I like to put in the extra elbow grease to make them smooth and clean.

Besides sales, what did you plan to accomplish with the Felt Cute exhibit?

My main goal is to make people happy. Smiles and laughs are my fuel.

What can people look forward to from you in the future?

I’ve got a lotta wool so they can look forward to a lot more silliness either at galleries or my shop. I never know what new fun direction I might veer off into.

You can check out the pieces featured in Ed Mironiuk’s “Felt Cute” show below or in more detail at Gallery1988. More of Mironiuk’s work can be viewed at his official website or on his Instagram account at @edmironiuk.

(All images used in this post are credited to Gallery1988)