The Sokitume artist, Michelle Binkowski, is an imaginative soft-sculptor who is driven by an incredible passion for exposing the lives of sock creatures. Her works are often noted for their original styles and unique personalities.  Michelle has developed an innovative style that blends universal human traits with hilarity. Her use of sock fabrics in vibrant colors and strong lines make her work an excellent choice for a wide-range of gifts. Michelle is accomplished in blending modern crafting techniques with traditional hand-sewing methods. Her soft sculptures are known for their humorous stories and personal issues. Many have been featured in homes, tourist attractions and travel diaries around the world. Michelle's soft sculptures have also appeared in print. 

Michelle's creations include: 

• Original and lovable soft sculpture art 
  Unforgettable dioramas
• Impressionistic creature caricatures
• Bad monkeys
• Traditional sock monkeys
• Humorous stationary art and side-lines

Artist's Statement

Creating soft sculpture is a way to create a world that is not so scary and a lot more fun than reality. With this medium, reality can be stomped on and then you can stomp on it again if you want to. I currently work with sock fabric but also sculpt with vinyl, felt and a wide range of other fabrics. Soft sculptures come to life as pieces of fabric are cut, sewn together and stuffed. Sometimes an entire scene is completely planned and diagramed. At other times, it is developed spontaneously. If it can be imagined, it can be soft-sculpted.

Viewing the world through the lens of soft sculpture literally “softens” one’s perspective. Somehow, working with this medium enables figures and objects to become animated and bigger than life. It is possible to “imagine oneself into” the stuffed and stitched, hand-made world. The microcosmic sense of soft sculpture allows the viewer to identify human frailties without feeling threatened by them.

I believe that finding the lighter side of the human condition is vital to one’s ability to experience happiness. While it is true that one cannot be “forced” to change one’s view of the world, you might be surprised at how much lighter you feel after viewing and squeezing this work.