About

Siobhan van Winkel is a disabled amputee cyborg fiber artist and machine maker. She received her BFA from The Art Institute of Chicago. In her senior year she won the John Quincy Fellowship Award, and received an exchange scholarship to California College of the Arts (CCA) in the Bay Area.
Upon graduating her work was auctioned in 3 international cities through ArtLink Sotheby's Young Art Auction.
She received her MFA from California College of the Arts.

In 2000 she opened Siobhan van Winkel FunKtional Art, on Telegraph Ave in Oakland CA. She operated this 'Woman owned, Mama powered' shop for 9 years showcasing multiple artists works, creating pieces in her studio, making a myriad of custom work, and raising her daughter, Hazel. She focused on handmade, locally made, organic, and fair trade clothing and toys. Her store was featured in many write up's including; Oakland Magazine, SF Chronicle, won Best of the Bay, and was a Finalist for the Innovator Award at the Oakland Indies etc. This helped spread the word about her blend of whimsical fashion, and custom work.

She has participated in numerous juried shows including; Live Oak Art Fest (Berkeley), Harmony Festival (Santa Rosa), American Craft Council Show at Fort Mason (SF), Bizarre Bizarre at the Armory (SF), 21 Grand (Oakland) 57th Street Art Fair (Chicago), Backburner Gallery (Chicago), and many many more!

Teaching Experiences have included classes in Textiles, Sculpture, Spaceship building, Found Object Jewelry, Instrument building, Intricate Embellishment, and Fashion Design.

She is currently working full time in her studio, focusing on creating wearable art, sculptural objects and large sensory machines.
Her practice is initiated and informed by the process of sewing and merging different media: rescued leather, fabric, and found objects.
She teaches at various venues, creates performances with her movable sculptures, collaborates with other artists, and has trunk shows.