Kaya Davis

Kaya Davis (b. 1992) is a Bay Area fiber artist who joined NIAD Art Center in 2023. Working primarily with crochet hooks and yarn, she’s developed intricate patterns for soft sculptures, doll clothing, and textile collages. Kaya describes her process: “I like working at a small scale — making dolls or making things for dolls. I’m trying to relive my childhood, and to recreate a childhood that has more security in it.”

Several of her soft sculptures were selected for the second iteration of Don’t mind if I do at Sacramento State University, a trailblazing installation curated by Finnegan Shannon to realize their “access fantasy.” Kaya Davis’s mixed-media work was also recently featured in I wish I had a window, Narrative, Oakland; Animal, Vegetable, Popsicle, ArtEnables, Washington D.C.; and Now Presenting: New Artists of NIAD in the NIAD Annex Gallery.

In high school my teacher brought in a bunch of crochet stuff, and I picked it up and never looked back. I used to make teddy bears and they required a million pieces and took a really long time. I started making the gummy bears when I figured out I could make them all in one piece. They were fast and easy and adorable. I’ve also made little hats and clothes for dolls. I like working at that scale — making dolls or making things for dolls. I’m trying to relive my childhood, and to recreate a childhood that has more security in it. It makes me feel really good to know people can pick the gummy bears up and hold them. I feel secure when I make these, and other people can hopefully feel secure holding them, too.