Faith Williams

Delicate Cuts explores the intersection of food, pollinators, and global consumption through printmaking with TetraPak—a common food packaging material made of folded cardboard and foil. I was drawn to this process for its connection to what we consume and how it's delivered to us.

Each piece begins with a food that relies on pollinators to grow. During my recent travels to Mexico, Japan, and Germany, I collected TetraPak containers, linking the artwork to specific places and foods. Research into each crop revealed fascinating pollinator relationships—from native bees like the Sugarbag Bee in Australia to imported species like the Alfalfa Leafcutter Bee in Japan.

Geometric elements in my work often come from the folds of the packaging itself, while others are inspired by patterns I observed abroad. These visual choices mirror the layered journey of food—from flower to pollinator, farm to shelf, and country to country.

The act of cutting into packaging is both literal and symbolic: a way of examining the costs of global food systems and honoring the often-invisible labor of pollinators. I hope this series encourages reflection on the intricate web of nature, travel, and consumption that connects us all.