Deborah Foutch in her studio at the California Building.(Lisa Roy)
Deborah Foutch’s latest solo exhibition, “Unraveling: A Fiber Art Exploration of Our Natural World,” features more than 30 intricate mixed-media pieces inspired by ecology, geology and hope.
On view at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Foutch’s works invite viewers to explore the beauty and complexity of living soil systems through the interplay of fibers and textures. Using materials such as cotton, silk, organza and paper, she creates detailed cross-sectional views of plants above ground seamlessly connected to their realistic root systems below, bringing life to the unseen layers that sustain our world.
Foutch’s artistic journey began with a dual major in art and history. Starting as a painter, she spent over two years immersed in the painting department before discovering her true calling in fiber arts.
When her college introduced a fiber arts program, she was captivated by the tactile and versatile nature of the medium. Her first fiber project — a life-sized doll of herself — marked the beginning of a lifelong exploration of fabric as a storytelling medium.
After graduating, Foutch moved to Minneapolis, where she discovered a thriving arts community that would become her creative anchor. She joined WARM (Women’s Art Resources of Minnesota) and later helped establish the Women’s Art Alliance, finding camaraderie and collaboration among fellow artists. With Minneapolis’ abundance of galleries, Foutch participated in numerous group shows and built a strong network.
In her early years, she focused on crafting dolls, selling her work at art fairs and cultivating a dedicated following. Over time, her focus shifted toward landscapes, inspired by her belief that the world’s essence lies in its layers — a philosophy that would come to define her artistic style.
Foutch offered an insightful piece of advice for the next generation of artists: network with other artists, as they inspire you to create.
Close up of Foutch’s work. (Lisa Roy)
Studio evolution:
From dolls to landscapes
Foutch’s transition from doll-making to landscapes necessitated a new workspace. Initially drawn to the California Building, she ultimately found a home in the Casket Arts Building, which offered the expansive walls and space she needed to create her layered soil horizon artworks and host teaching sessions. However, when the pandemic halted her classes, she downsized to a studio in the California Building — a space she now considers ideal for her current needs.
The core of Foutch’s recent work draws deeply from her upbringing on a farm in Iowa, where her father worked as a soil conservationist. His teachings on soil and water health profoundly influenced her and, after his passing, she began creating fiber representations of soil horizons. Her grief, combined with her desire to honor her father’s legacy, spurred her to delve into research and translate her findings into art.
Foutch’s soil horizon pieces illustrate the delicate balance of life below ground. The top layer, often referred to as “living soil,” teems with microscopic organisms essential to sustaining ecosystems. “If you scoop up a handful of that soil,” she explains, “there are more living organisms in your hand than there have ever been humans on the planet.”
Through her art, Foutch aims to raise awareness about the fragility of our soil systems. Modern agricultural practices, such as excessive tilling and inadequate cover cropping, are rapidly depleting soil fertility and contributing to ecological crises like the “Dead Zone” in the Gulf of Mexico. Nutrient-rich runoff from farms and lawns feeds algae blooms in the Gulf, depleting oxygen and endangering marine life.
Foutch’s work emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable farming practices. She warns that without significant change, we may have only 40 years of viable soil left. By depicting the interconnectedness of soil, plants and water systems, her art fosters conversations about ecological responsibility and inspires action.
“Unraveling: A Fiber Art Exploration of Our Natural World” is more than an art exhibition — it’s a call to reconnect with the earth and rethink how we treat its resources. Visitors to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum can immerse themselves in Foutch’s stunning depictions of soil horizons and consider their role in preserving the planet’s health.
The exhibition runs January 15 through February 16. Admission is included with general daily entry, which is free for members and children under 16, and $20-25 for non-members. Indigenous peoples receive waived admission by reservation.