Honor what connects you,
with a nose job
From custom nose sculptures to participatory art events and workshops, every path invites belonging, breath, and play.
From the Bronx Museum to intimate assemblages - see the artist’s wider practice ——->
By Word of Nose gives voice to the stories our noses reveal - about belonging, well-being, and our shared humanity.
It is an ecosystem of artworks, participatory art events, and workshops that feed and inspire one another, remaining vital and nourished by multi-disciplinary collaborations.
your story sewn into the seams
With your most prominent feature as the guide, and fabric as the storyteller your custom nose will hold your narrative with the utmost care and intention.
commission your nose job
Each Nose Job is a custom portrait by artist Kat Geng-Caraballo - a rare, handsculpted work that honors an intimate connection with your story, yourself and others offering you humor, a new perspective and tenderness. They are made one at a time through a process of conversation, observation and storytelling.
These commissions are limited and take time - each one sculpted, dyed, embroidered and crafted with care by the artist. They are for those who want a truly personal piece of The By Word of Nose world.
Curious why we call it a Nose Job? Learn More
What makes the nose so special?
why not eyes and ears?
While we adore our eyes and ears—nothing bad to say about them—our noses rest at the center of both our faces and our identities. They filter, warm, and humidify our breath, making nostril-breathing the healthiest, most efficient method (sorry, mouth). Smell also sparks our most emotional, detailed memories, reaching back to before we had words. No wonder it’s often our strongest sense, deeply tied to well-being and connection.
And that’s just a glimpse of the nose’s superpowers…
They make oven-fresh cookies irresistible, let us savor a spicy wine, and, through deep breathing, calm our very nervous system. What could feel more central to life than breath?
Plus, each of us carries a signature nose shape, gifted from our ancestors—a beautiful form and a satisfying challenge to any sculptor. All of this makes them extra special to us.
Sprouted from a lost handkerchief, a tree grew with the most unusual of bark. From its trunk emerged three lively human noses - sniffing, snoring, and snorting with delight. Instead of leaves, its branches bore handkerchiefs, fluttering gently in the breeze of each inhale and exhale.
The passing of the Seed of The Nose Tree, Illustrations by Isabel Baptista
The Legend of the Nose Tree tells of a magical plant that appears to those who feel disconnected from their body, identity, or others. Through the guidance of three wise noses, it invites them back to their breath, their sense of belonging, and their shared humanity. The tale has become a source of curiosity-driven collaborations—welcoming reinterpretation by visual and performing artists, as well as those working in literary, culinary, and olfactory arts.
