About the Artist

I’m Sue Kaihoi, a textile artist living and working in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. I create one-of-a-kind textile artwork.

Utilizing mainly repurposed wools and linens, canvas and cottons I design and construct pieces that evoke a connection to the past - nature and life woven from history. Each fragment and remnant, once forgotten and discarded, finds a new life and purpose within my artwork, a blending of the past and present. I like to consider my artwork as history reimagined - a fusion of the past with a contemporary twist. Through a process of reconstruction, what was once “deconstructed” now emerges in unexpected ways.

My creative process begins with a curated collection of textiles gathered over the years - each piece waiting for its moment of transformation. Starting with a chosen color scheme and a rough sketch I build a framework, allowing the piece to evolve organically. All pieces are sewn by hand using crewel wools and cotton thread. It’s a joyful journey of experimentation, where even the final outcome often surprises me.

My love for natural textiles and stitching began in my childhood. Growing up in Minnesota, spending summers at the lake cabin, camping in the North Woods, ice fishing with my father and tromping through the snow fed my love for nature. Memories of heavy wool jackets, Hudson Bay blankets stacked on porch beds, canvas awnings and fresh linens on the line feed my soul even today. It is no surprise they are central to my designs.

Exhibitions

2024 “Reconstructed: An Alternative Perspective”; Rose & Eugene Presents, Sioux Falls, SD