I'm excited to have been asked to create a piece for an exhibition called Curves - Through Art We Share Our Experiences Of Breast Cancer, which will be held in Surat at the Surat on Balonne Gallery in September.
What you see here will be the cover of an artist book - yet to be named...I have a thousand ideas floating around my head - but none quite right just yet. (Maybe you have a great suggestion?)
My inspiration is my friend, who, after way too many other life challenges (really, really tough ones), found herself facing a double mastectomy. Her positive attitude, strength, humour and courage have been a true inspiration.
She had been troubled by what to do with her bras... no longer any use to her, and quite a symbol of her loss. She bravely (and very trustingly!) handed them over to me when I suggested they could be used in this piece. Her daughter, sister-in-law and friends have also contributed to the collection. The fabrics were cut out of the bra cups and then torn into smaller pieces; laid down on a felt base with straps and bows, and machine stitched into place. The whole piece was then painted with dyes and paint.
I'm off to see what else I can do with these abandoned undergarments!
7 comments:
All the best with this piece, Tracey and sharing this story with us. Looking forward to seeing the finished artwork.
Thanks Kym! I'm just home from the Textile Art Festival, and I'm buzzing with ideas...I'll keep posting photos as I go.
very interesting tracey, stunning really....thanks for sharing the story.....would love to see old undergarments 'treated' cut up and sewn into a ball gown...now that would be a spectacular thought! or maybe the bra cups could be dyed etc, cut up and made into lapel flowers for men to wear to show their support for women to undergo breast checks etc.
Peta
Wow Peta...I'm in awe of your fertile mind! What terrific ideas! The wearable art display in Brisbane at the Textile Art Festival had my mind whirring - such incredible, beautiful, skillful pieces...but bra cup ballgowns! How glorious that could be! And I just might phone my lady in Surat and see if we can come up with something for lapel flowers for the opening - I LOVE that idea!
Thanks for your excitement about my ideas, I often refer to myself as 'the idea's woman'! I really enjoy the challenge of thinking outside the box as much as I can. I also enjoy bouncing ideas around with others, it's amazing how one idea snowballs to others with more than one head at work.....I'll be looking out for your lapel flowers...they'll be wonderful!! as you are indeed a most talented person with your skills and creativity...
Hi Tracey, The colours in you piece are lovely & "fresh" but deep & thoughtful as well - it holds such meaning for all of us to reflect on. How about "Reflection of a Healing Soul" or something fun like "Moonlight Mammery Madness"! I know I should stick with art not words. Well done, Olley.
Olley! I think you could branch out into words!! They are some clever suggestions! I particularly like the second one! Thanks for your encouragement!
Thanks to you also Peta...I always have a smile after a comment from you!!
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