Edinburgh-based textile artist Molly Kent uses fabric to explore and represent complex issues related to mental health. Through techniques such as tufting and weaving, Kent reflects on contemporary challenges of existence, particularly the way social media and online life affect self-perception. Her art is deeply rooted in her personal experience of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) and autism, but also embraces the collective anxieties that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic.

One of Molly Kent’s most significant projects is entitled Dream Weaving, a series of works that captures the artist’s dreams and nightmares, recurring themes of falls, extreme weather events and digital anxieties. The project reveals how the psychology of dreams can provide critical introspection into a person’s inner complexities. With a touch of irony, the title Dream Weaving also refers to Adobe Dreamweaver software, introducing digital elements such as emoji and computer windows, integrated into the fabric to emphasise the impact of digital life on mental health.

Molly Kent’s works offer a mirror of contemporary society, where physical and digital reality are intertwined. During the lockdown, the artist noted how their increasing immersion in the online world has exacerbated new anxieties, a theme that is clearly reflected in their works.

In addition to her art production, Kent is also dedicated to teaching, conducting workshops that also address issues of mental health and neurodivergence in art, offering a safe and inclusive space for creativity. Molly Kent uses fabric as a tool to tell complex stories, offering a unique perspective on how the digital world and mental health are woven into the fabric of contemporary life.

Courtesy Molly Kent