{"id":1802182,"date":"2026-03-02T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-01T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1802182"},"modified":"2026-03-02T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-01T21:00:00","slug":"ruby-silvious-tiny-paintings-and-assemblages-reimagine-used-teabags","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1802182","title":{"rendered":"Ruby Silvious\u2019 Tiny Paintings and Assemblages Reimagine Used Teabags"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content prose-colossal max-w-none\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-style-default entry-header is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"colo-post-featured-image wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1203\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/silvious-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"A small painting of blue-and-white patterned bowls by Ruby Silvious on a series of conjoined teabags\" style=\"object-fit:cover\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">All images courtesy of the artist, shared with permission<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group post-title is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0bc941e6 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h1 class=\"alignfull wp-block-post-title\">Ruby Silvious\u2019 Tiny Paintings and Assemblages Reimagine Used Teabags<\/h1>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull post-meta is-layout-flex wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2026-03-02T09:23:32-06:00\">March 2, 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<div class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a class=\"category-art\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/category\/art\/\" rel=\"tag\">Art<\/a><a class=\"category-craft\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/category\/craft\/\" rel=\"tag\">Craft<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/author\/kmothes\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"wp-block-post-author-name__link\">Kate Mothes<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull post-share-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing has-visible-labels has-icon-color is-style-logos-only is-layout-flex wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-is-layout-flex\">\n<li style=\"color: #1c1e0d\" class=\"outermost-social-sharing-link outermost-social-sharing-link-facebook has-crow-color wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thisiscolossal.com%2F2026%2F03%2Fruby-silvious-teabag-paintings-collages%2F&amp;title=Ruby%20Silvious%27%20Tiny%20Paintings%20and%20Assemblages%20Reimagine%20Used%20Teabags\" aria-label=\"Share\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-anchor\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-label \"><br \/>\n\t\t\tShare\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"color: #1c1e0d\" class=\"outermost-social-sharing-link outermost-social-sharing-link-mail has-crow-color wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/cdn-cgi\/l\/email-protection#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\" aria-label=\"Email\" class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-anchor\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-label \"><br \/>\n\t\t\tEmail\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><button class=\"simplefavorite-button preset\" data-postid=\"470497\" data-siteid=\"1\" data-groupid=\"1\" data-favoritecount=\"0\"><i class=\"sf-icon-bookmark\"><\/i>Bookmark<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>From diminutive pieces of fine mesh, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rubysilvious.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ruby Silvious<\/a> meticulously conjoins, stains, tears, and sculpts a range mixed-media collages and tiny paintings from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/tags\/ruby-silvious\">repurposed teabags<\/a>. She often incorporates other elements, such as sardine tins, thread spools, and cut paper elements. The bags are emptied and flattened and sometimes connected to form longer surfaces, often keeping the strings and tabs attached. Other times, Silvious further manipulates the soft paper substrate, creating life-size <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/2022\/12\/ruby-silvious-garments\/\">garments<\/a> that possess an ethereal, even spectral quality.<\/p>\n<p>This spring, Silvious\u2019 work can be seen in group shows in Vermont, Maryland, Philadelphia, Massachusetts, and New York. During the summer, she will be collaborating with M\u00e1laga-based artist <a href=\"https:\/\/www.davidseaton.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">David Seaton<\/a>, whose abstract paintings inspired some of Silvious\u2019 recent paper pieces, followed by a show of both of their work in Rhonda, Spain. And in the fall, her pieces will also be included in a group exhibition at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.galleryofhermosa.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gallery of Hermosa<\/a>. See more and follow updates on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ruby_silvious\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/silvious-12.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470497\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2134\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/silvious-12.jpg\" alt=\"An artwork by Ruby Silvious depicting a paper cutout of a young woman with a long list, made from a sardine can and tea bags\" class=\"wp-image-470508\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/silvious-8.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470497\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1737\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/silvious-8.jpg\" alt=\"Teabag artworks by Ruby Silvious with paintings of teapots on different sized bags\" class=\"wp-image-470505\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/silvious-11.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470497\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/silvious-11.jpg\" alt=\"An artwork by Ruby Silvious depicting a paper cutout of a young boy fishing with his dog, made from a sardine can and tea bags\" class=\"wp-image-470507\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/silvious-3.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470497\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1994\" height=\"1604\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/silvious-3.jpg\" alt=\"Teabag artworks by Ruby Silvious with paintings of tiny button-down shirts on different bags\" class=\"wp-image-470500\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/silvious-4.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470497\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1993\" height=\"1648\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/silvious-4.jpg\" alt=\"A tiny painting by Ruby Silvious of black-and-white cranes on two conjoined teabags\" class=\"wp-image-470501\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/silvious-5.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470497\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1699\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/silvious-5.jpg\" alt=\"A tiny painting by Ruby Silvious of Key lime pie and coffee on two conjoined teabags\" class=\"wp-image-470502\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/silvious-10.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470497\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/silvious-10.jpg\" alt=\"An artwork by Ruby Silvious made from tea bags in the shape of half of a long-sleeved, collared shirt\" class=\"wp-image-470506\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/silvious-7.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470497\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1974\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/silvious-7.jpg\" alt=\"A tiny painting by Ruby Silvious of a Native American pueblo, such as Taos, on a deconstructed teabag\" class=\"wp-image-470504\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/silvious-2.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470497\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1996\" height=\"1819\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/silvious-2.jpg\" alt=\"A tiny painting by Ruby Silvious of a lobster on a teabag\" class=\"wp-image-470499\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/silvious-6.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470497\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1531\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/silvious-6.jpg\" alt=\"An overview of a number of teabags, paints, and other art materials showing artist Ruby Silvious' process\" class=\"wp-image-470503\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"after-entry\" role=\"complementary\" aria-label=\"After Entry\">\n<section id=\"block-16\" class=\"widget widget_block widget_text\">\n<p><mark style=\"background-color:#88caf0\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><strong>Do stories and artists like this matter to you?<\/strong><\/mark> Become a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/members\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"118516\">Colossal Member<\/a> now, and support independent arts publishing.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"block-17\" class=\"widget widget_block\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top 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She often incorporates other [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,270],"class_list":["post-1802182","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-thisiscolossal-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1802182","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1802182"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1802182\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1802182"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1802182"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1802182"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}