Assorted Physical Works
Smocked Corset Top (2025)
This was Norah’s first fully handmade garment, beginning simply from a large piece of muslin.
This piece includes smocking, muslin lining, eyelits/grommets, corseted with fur yarn, and superglue (to keep the stitches from popping). While it is not practical to wear due to the limited mobility and discomfort of the superglue, it was a wonderful hands-on experience. This piece was a tedious process but so satisfying to see from start to finish.
Images taken by Norah Mahoney and Nadine Waters
Esher (2024)
Inspired by MC Esher’s extensive optical-illusion-based illustrations alongside growing up playing Monument Valley (a game directly inspired by Esher’s work), Norah designed her own structural illusion as a part of a larger project addressing habits of self-sabotage.
11 in. x 14 in.
Ignorance is Bliss (2024)
Norah hand-sewed this small pillow from found fabric and secured pins into the piece, giving an outward appearance of spikes. These protruding reflective metal nails sprouting from an object used for leisure and comfort provides the audience with a juxtaposition within their sense of touch. This piece was created as a part of a larger project addressing habits of self sabotage.
Chloe Collage (2023)
This is a black and white collage created over the course of two years out of darkroom print scraps, based on an image Norah had taken shortly before of her sister Chloe. Norah worked as a teacher’s assistant for her high school’s art teacher. She assisted in all types of tasks, but her favorite was managing the darkroom. She utilized her down time to create this large collage from the scraps that other students had discarded.
11 in. × 17 in.