Monika Plioplyte

Paper textiles and sculpture / risograph prints and collage / 2020 - ongoing

The paper textile works are composed of printed images documenting myself in nude poses that mirror Baltic Pagan symbols such as waxing and waning moons and poses that resemble mythological women such as the Spiral Goddess, Earth Mother and others. Using risograph printing, I reproduce these images, then cut each figure by hand and collage them, transforming the prints into new forms inspired by traditional Lithuanian textile designs and decorative symbols. While drawing from these traditions, I intentionally keep the work open-ended to allow room for experimentation, incorporating my own drawings into the patterns. I use my own body as a starting point because it is readily available, and it feels honest to do so. Ultimately, the abstracted nature of the final patterns detaches them from my personal identity, shifting the focus from self to the collective. This work explores our shared identity within our bodies, our connection to the world around us, and the feminine aspects within all of us—reminding us of the central role the feminine has always played in shaping our systems, offering protection, and fostering community.