The theme for this semesters textiles self-directed project was Alchemy, as we were asked to undergo a process of transforming and manipulating materials, bringing diverse textiles together to form something new.
From the outset of the project I knew I wanted to use old clothes and found fabric as my main material. I wanted to explore the attachment I hold with these fabrics as I never immediately dispose of clothes once they have no more use. This gave me the desire to present these textiles in a way that shows that they still hold value and beauty, instead of hiding them away, usually stashed in the corner of my room, giving them new purpose.
After investigating this issue on a personal level, it became clear that this concept was extremely relevant as a worldwide issue, this was made especially clear through the collection and use of not only my old fabrics, but other peoples’.
This article by ecomono reveals shocking facts about textile waste including that the average Australian throws out 30kg of clothing and textiles each year.
Micro to macro
screenprint on found fabric, 2.5 x 2.8m
Through the use of found fabric and old clothes, this work is a bold exploration of fashion and textile waste, and how its impact can go unseen by individuals. From the outset, I wanted to undergo an alchemical process of transforming material that was abandoned and hidden away, and give it a new purpose, presenting the beauty that is still there. This quickly reached out to a worldwide issue, as it brought light to the disposable, fast fashion culture we live in. This highlights how the individual, or micro, needs to become more responsible for the mark they are leaving on the world, or macro. Because of this connection, imagery of planets and microscopic images are screen-printed onto the work, as these are both not visible by the human eye. The use of bright, complementary colours was used to draw attention and create a loud message calling to acknowledge our environmental impact from textile waste.
about emma 