The Shadow Behind by Nancy Cook Smith

The Shadow Behind 
by Nancy Cook Smith

This piece centers on a dark, irregular form partially obscured by a surge of florals and cut textile fragments. The eye is pulled inward past soft color and decorative detail toward something quieter and less defined.

Layered fabrics create a shifting sense of depth: delicate blossoms, leaves, and stitched elements sit atop a grounded, almost shadow-like core. The interplay feels intentional —edges are raw, seams visible, and transitions left unresolved.

There’s a push and pull between surface and structure, decoration and interruption. What appears bright and abundant at first glance begins to read as a cover, a veil over something more restrained beneath it.

Details

• Original textile collage work
• Size: 20 x 19.5 inches
• Mixed vintage and contemporary woven fabrics
• One-of-a-kind piece
  
• Variations in composition, tone, and texture are inherent
• Unframed