Hello everyone , hope this finds all well in your part of the world.
This post is a follow on from my previous post , be it somewhat sooner than I expected it to be. I knew I would return to Devonport to see the wearable paper garments exhibition since seeing this bi-annual event last time . As it turned out John and I travelled to a small town nearby to attend the funeral of John’s Aunt Betty , who passed away peacefully at the age of 97 years. Betty was a kind and caring country lady , a mother of four , a grandmother , a great grandmother and also a great, great grandmother.
Paper on Skin is a biennial wearable art award requiring artists to create a wearable garment from at least 80% paper. It was first held in 2012 and draws on the papermaking heritage of the Northwest coast of Tasmania and has since grown to become an international event. Eleven countries were represented among this year’s finalists.
Unfortunately , my photos really don’t really show how amazing these garments are in real life.
This one titled , Ïnfinite Variety”was a favourite of mine , maybe its the black and white . The artist was inspired by Marchesa Luisa Casati , who was considered to be Europe’s most notorious celebrity and quite the Femme Fatale. A wild woman who inspired artists and designers alike .
This garment is constructed from vintage paper patterns from The Sewing Basket -a social enterprise where the artist volunteers. These patterns were destined for the recycling bin because they were old and had pieces missing , some dated from the 1950’s. Each piece has been hand dyed , massaged with oil, steamed and hand pleated to resemble fortuny pleating. The concept was to create a show stopping gown almost completely made from vintage paper patterns that would look right at home on the red carpet of the Met Gala , the intersection of fashion and art. During construction the artist realised she was influenced by Christian Dior’s Junon dress from 1949/1950. I have taken this description from the artists notes . This garment won an award for the best use of paper as textile.
This pretty little number was by a Japanese artist and represents the Spring flowering cherry blossom trees.
This one is titled Strength and wasn’t one of the prize winners but I was taken with all its various components, especially the rather amazing top hat.
Once again my photo doesn’t do this one justice . The title is Love the Skin You’re In and it was runner up in the competition. The artist came up with the concept for the work as she explored the notion of being comfortable in your own skin. To that end she used an image transfer technique to transfer skincare editorials and advertising from old Vogue magazines onto tissue paper from which the garment was constructed.
This is the overall winner by Sally Baldwin from the U.K. titled After the Bushfires – Regeneration. Back in 2020 the artist witnessed the effects of bushfires and then the regeneration and regrowth on blackened trees after the catastrophic fires when she was undertaking an artist in residence programe in NSW.
My outfit for the day – black Moyuru skirt , cropped velvet jacket , white Scotch and Soda big bow shirt , spotted tights , Hispanitas shoes , sunnies , fingerless gloves and recycled bag.
I have a question for my blogging friends as to what you use for editing photos. I have been using an old Adobe Photoshop that is no longer accepting photos I have shot using Raw . I changed cameras a while ago and all was fine until recently and I am at a bit of loss as what to do . Any advice would be most welcome.
Joining Gail at Is This Mutton for Wow on Wednesday.
Wow, it’s hard to believe these outfits are made mostly from paper! What an achievement. Your outfit must have turned a few heads at the exhibition. I love the big bow with the velvet jacket. Sublime. Hope you’re having a good week.
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Thank you so much Gail. The artists work was just incredible and the outfits are worn in a gala event before the opening.
I love that you share these exhibition with us! I have never been to something like that so I get to see it through your eyes!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
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Thank you so very much Mirielle , it was my pleasure to share theexhibition.
This is spectacular, Jill – SO enjoyable, thanks to your descriptions.
No help with photo software, I’m afraid…
Thanks for taking us along to the exhibit 🙂
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Thanks so much Mary Katherine , glad you enjoyed it.
What a fascinating exhibition, it’s hard to get your head around how those incredible garments are made with paper. That yellow crochet-effect outfits makes my head sing!
I absolutely love your outfit and how your beautiful red nails pop against the black of your luxe jacket.
I’m sorry to hear about Betty but what an impressive age she reached. xxx
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Thanks so much Vix. That is my thinking because unless you knew they are made from paper you really wouldn,t know. Oh yes , that one is most certainly you.
The wearable paper garments exhibition looks absolutely amazing! As does your outfit!
I’m afraid I can’t be much help with photo editing. I’ve never shot photos using Raw, which is not something I’m familiar with. I’m just using an online photo editor called iPiccy. xxx
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Thank you so much Ann , I am in awe of the artists talent. Your input re editing is much appreciated , I will have a look at iPiccy. xx
These photos are just amazing, Jill! I wonder how long some of the artists worked on their piece(s). Your outfit is also a work of art! I don’t have any words of expertise re: photos. I just use my phone.
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Thank you so very much Marsha . The work was stunning and from reading the artists notes most take many months to complete.
Thank you, Jill for more information following Instagram on these amazing works of art. So wonderful for
Tasmania to receive such brilliance from all over the world.
Love,
Elizabeth.
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Thank you so very much Elizabeth . The work was just wonderful and I feel Tasmania is quite privileged to be able to attract so many talented artists to the exhibition as we really are such a small population. xx
Gosh, don’t know how I’ve missed commenting. What an extraordinarily wonderful exhibition – the clothes!!! They are incredible and so beautiful. The black and white one…. so obviously your favourite and I think mine. What a joy it must have been to go and see it.
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Thanks so very much Penny , it was a joy to see this exhibition . The artistry was exceptional.