Hello everyone , hope all is well in your part of the world.
You may have wondered about the rather unusual title to today’s post. It is in fact an exhibition of International Wearable Paper Art that I had the pleasure of viewing a few days ago in the regional city of Devonport in our states North West. The bi-annual competition is now in its 10th. year and celebrates the tradition of paper making in this area . It attracts talented paper artisans from around the world.
The artists are invited to submit entries with the challenge of creating wearable works of art made from 80% paper. The judges had much to consider the wearability , the technical skill , the conceptual rigour of the works, the innovative use of paper and of course how the garment works worn and in motion.
The statement above was at the start of the exhibit and explains the concept much better than I ever could. I was in awe of the talent and creativity involved in bringing each idea to fruition.
The Peacock dress by Likita Marley (Australia) , a reimaging of the famous peacock dress of the 1900’s as an homage to a bygone era of flamboyant luxury and excess. It is made using wrapping paper, tissue paper, holographic wrapping paper, metallic paper , dyed paper string, paper raffia, art papers, coloured card, brown paper , newspaper. paper clay.
This particular creation from Poland caught my eye with its colours and textures and the clever use of pages from Vogue magazine in the design.
I loved this one and her description. Red Waratah Girl is a hybrid camellia fairy living in a garden in the Shoalhaven area of New South Wales. Some people are not sure where she has come from as she resembles the iconic red waratah of the Australian bush but also the Red Waratah Camellia. We see glimpses of her in the garden occasionally at the end of Winter but most of the time she is off with the fairies doing what fairies do.
Around 1500 petals had to be unfurled to create Red Warratah Girl taking about 30 hours and she took 200 hours to make in total. This one won a runner up award and earned the creator $2000.00, well deserved I say.
This was the winning entry, unfortunately my photo really doesn’t do it justice as it was quite extraordinary. The work titled Bilateral Relations by Japanese artist Kaori Kato is a hand-folded wearable abstract sculpture created from around 13 large sheets of paper. The hours of work in folding the paper as well as creating the design is simply mind blowing to me .
I know I will never have either the patience or talent involved in creating paper art so will continue to express myself through my clothing and creating outfits. My outfit for the gallery visit is a mix of old favourites and one newish one. I started with the Moyuru skirt , added the Pom Amsterdam jacket and topped it with the feather vest. I wore navy Trippen boots and orange accessories , leather gloves from Paris 2016, cork earrings Portugal also 2016 and Felt Happiness beret and bag by Spencer and Rutherford, many years old.
Joining Gail at Is This Mutton for Wow on Wednesday and Nancy for Fancy Friday.
That is really something else! Amazing. I actually like the runner up more then the winner. But the peacock dress is my favourite. But what a art work, I’ll bet you discover new things the more you look at it. And of course you look fabulous as always. Fantastic boots!
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Thank you so much Nancy. Each item in the exhibition was simply amazing in every detail. I too was very taken with the peacock dress.
How absolutely fascinating! I could have looked at those fabulous creations for hours. Just wow!
As for your outfit, that is another stunner as well. You’re not just creating outfits, but veritable works of art! xxx
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Thank you so very much Ann I know you would have enjoyed the exhibition , so much to take in on so many levels . I am enjoying playing in my closet and creating different outfits .
You look absolutely fabulous, as does the exhibition, Thank you for showing us all who missed it. Well done.
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Thank you so much Marlene so pleased you enjoyed a glimpse of the exhibition through my eyes.
What an interesting and creative exhibit! I love how your outfits reflects creativity (love the shoes) and is so fitting for your visit.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
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Thank you so much Mirielle I will admit to composing the outfit with an arty vibe. The exhibition was wonderful and I was in awe of the talent and creativity involved.
Oh wow – thank you for such a fabulous post!I can’t imagine all the hours of painstaking work and talent it must have taken to create such a beautiful exhibition.You look great too – I love your outfit here.
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Thank you Eva , glad you enjoyed the post on the exhibition. I was in awe of the patience and skill involved in making each garment. I was pleased with my outfit combination .
What a simply wonderful exhibition, and I have to say it’s my kind of exhibition. I’d have loved it! Your outfit was absolutely perfect for it. But yes, the outfits on display were amazing and I know I used that word rather too often, but this time they really are amazing. Thanks so much for giving us a glimpse of it.
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Amazing is most certainly the perfect way to describe this exhibition. I had never seen anything quite like it .
I was pleased how the outfit came together with a bit of an arty vibe.
Oh Jill, what an amazing, brilliant exhibition. Thank you so much for sharing. I wonder how these art works are transported around the world, given that they are obviously delicate. And I wonder at only $2,000 prize money for such wonderful art when money is poured upon other things… We must value all forms of artistic expression much more, I believe. I love your bright orange and black and your usual style and creative, artistic dressing in your interesting and loved clothes and accessories. You bring colour and joy to the world, thank you.
Elizabeth. xx
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Thank you so much Elizabeth, glad you enjoyed a peek at the exhibition , it certainly was most impressive. I too wondered how many of these works arrived here in Tasmania. The winner was awarded $5000 in prize money but as you say art of all forms is not really valued in this country, sport on the other hand is a different matter.
What an amazing exhibition. I can’t quite get my head around how these exhibits are made from paper. Having visited the original Peacock Dress on my birthday last year, I’m particularly drawn to the modern day homage.
Your outfit is perfect, I love the orange accents! xxx
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It really was quite amazing . I thought the same , it was hard to believe they were all made from paper. You would have loved the paper Peacock Dress having seen the real one. I was pleased how the outfit came together. xx
I BELIEVE I SAW A SIMILAR EXHIBIT years ago…………
AMAZING WORK!
SO HAPPY YOU ARE OUT AND ABOUT!!
XXX
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This was a first for me , the talent and work involved was quite amazing. Cautiously getting out and about.