The birdhouse exhibition, Home Sweet Home, at Mad Brussels perfectly embodies the sentiment that creativity knows no bounds. Ever since the exhibition commenced, we have seen imaginative and ingenious birdhouses presented as more than backyard accessories; as ways to connect and coexist with nature. Artists like Kajsa Willner have amazed us with unique designs, such as the Entita Birdhouse, but the Teapot Cosy Birdhouse is the most beautiful so far.
This comfy home is designed by Shishi San, a multidisciplinary textile artist based in Brussels. Born in Vietnam, she has long experimented with tufting unconventionally, creating rich, vibrant objects using colorful threads. Shishi uses playfulness and her experiences to bring her works to life, which she has further employed in the Teapot Cosy Birdhouse.
There are plenty of unique birdhouses out there, but we have never seen a teapot-shaped birdhouse before. As if the shape wasn’t intriguing enough, Shishi decided to amp it up with a furry tufted coat to keep the birdhouse cozy. At first glance, someone would take it for a literal teapot. But if you look closely, you’ll find tiny holes everywhere, enough for a bird to get in comfortably.
Shishi San says that she loves drawing from life and everyday objects like teapots dressed in knit/crochet in England and natural elements, hence the name. Well, we can’t argue with that because it’s clearly evident in this birdhouse, which looks exactly like traditional Japanese or English teapots. The only difference is that this teapot is draped in a plush fabric adorned with bold flower patterns, turning an ordinary object into a livable space for another species.
I created this birdhouse while staying true to my artistic identity. I am of Vietnamese origin, and I draw inspiration from the folklore of South and Southeast Asia, which is often influenced by and inspired by the nature of flowers and animals…When I was a child, I lived near a forest where I spent my time outdoors observing nature and creating little houses for fairies. My mother loves birds, especially feeding them. She made all sorts of houses for them. Every year we also welcomed swallows, as they always return to the same place
– Shishi San
The possibilities are endless when your work involves empathy and respect for other creatures, a fundamental philosophy of the exhibition. Driven by this idea of comfort, Shishi imagined this birdhouse hanging in the garden, looking eye-catching. But most importantly, she imagined it as a bird’s home snuggled in warm wool.
Our childhood experiences shape us, and watching her mother feed birds and make all sorts of birdhouses has influenced Shishi. This early childhood experience was enough of a spark to build her own birdhouse today, giving little birdies a refuge and a place to belong and come back to.
The Teapot Cosy Birdhouse is fluffy, functional, and playful, making it a perfect home for winged creatures. You can catch a glimpse of it at the exhibition, along with many other creative projects, redefining the concept of home through playful, personal, and sentimental design.
