Celebrating art during Covid19! The organisers of Burnie Paper on Skin Wearable Art Prize, Burnie Tasmania have created an amazing series of online supports for the artists selected as finalists in this significant biennial event. Photography of the modelled works replaced the usual gala fashion parade and a film of each narrative work was produced.
Pretend Print-cesspaper on skin exhibition - Design concept: Child inspired dress-up fairy tale - nostalgia. The silhouette of my paper garment is inspired by the multi-tiered sundress much like the ones I wore as a child. The finished paper garment: a gown with 'princess' qualities consists of an ornate bound, back-lacing bodice and long sweeping lace trimmed skirt - perfect for the imagination when playing pretend. The papier-mache rabbit mask completing the outfit lending an unknown mysterious yet fun carnivale feel allowing the wearer and viewer to be transported to a faraway place. The mask hides ones identity - perhaps mimicking the uncertainty of the unknown adventure that lies ahead.
The nostalgia of reflecting back upon childhood but also looking through the eyes of a child is a recurring theme explored in this work. The dress acting as a canvas upon which the story is told to the viewer. Elements of the dress are stitched and illustrated with embroidery-like touches; broderie anglaise lace paper painted trims are incorporated in the skirt ruffle hems to mimic/replicate those found on dresses from my own childhood. Hand-painted watercolour designs feature on the bodice panels. Design influences from childhood are symbolic and include: floral images, blue birds and rabbits, heart and home, a tree of life, and sun and moon designs translated through Polish-inspired embroidery. The colour blue is chosen for royalty and is strongly influenced by traditional Danish hand painted Delftware pottery designs. The overall colour of the work is white, representing purity and innocence. The tiered skirt is comprised of layered, laminated gathered papers with a printed, collaged, painted surface. Subtle images of garden flowers and whimsical text are intermingled with simple graphic printed, paper floral elements attached to the substrate. Accessories are inspired by storybook and faerie tale illustrations that capture the imagination along with fashion references seen in paintings and books I once studied in school. Hand spun and knitted fingerless gloves (nods to both Alice in Wonderland and Sleeping Beauty), a small stitched hand printed locket book inspired by the jewellery fashions of Victorian times, a crochet flower (the rose garden flowers from Alice) corsage inspired by ribbon chokers from French Impressionist paintings (Manet's 'A Bar at the Folies-Bergere') and a pure white Venetian style carnivale mask in the design of a rabbit (Alice again - with allusions to the passage of time). The dress weaves an idyllic and whimsical narrative on a dramatic and discernible silhouette, through carefully chosen imagery, using illustration, print and text to portray a land of make-believe and pretend, of enduring hope and possibility. A reminder of our dreams and of what might be. Perhaps a refuge we as adults dream of returning to - a moment in time that was less demanding and filled with wonder. Details - signing my work.
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Backstage.
Sneak peak of Olivia modelling 'Pretend Print-cess' during the filming of Paper on Skin 2020. |
2020 burnie regional art gallery, burnie TAS
2020 the artists collective studio gallery, tenterfield NSW
2020 the artists collective studio gallery, tenterfield NSW