Project 1
Acrylic, 610mm x 450mm
​
This garment was originally made for the Wearable Art show in Wellington NZ. Inspired partly by the Whirling Dervishes, whose trance- like dance sees fabric turning in continual circles around the body.
​Made from 2 silk parachutes sourced from ebay ​
and originally from the Korean War, this is both a recycling project and a an opportunity to turn war paraphernalia into a peaceful celebration.
​
​As with all competitions you never know if your offering will be accepted. Sadly this one was not, but I took the opportunity to let the garment have it's day both here, and in a collaborative effort, a video. See below. As you will see, there are many stories behind this one.
"
#8 the "unpainted pictures”
Giclee Print
All prints are giclée quality – the best digital print technology available. Archival inks, cold press watercolour paper and colour correction by industry experts from Copyart, Richmond,. Your artwork will be checked and packed into a tube ready to be framed by you.
​
Limited edition full size print $225 inc p&p in NZ
One of a signed limited edition of 50
Printed area 610mm x 450mm with 20mm border
​
If you want a different size, please use contact page for a custom size and price.
​
​
​
​
Original Available $1,750
the "unpainted pictures"
Auckland 2020 Ellie
Ellie had always been the ‘arty’ one in the family, but had chosen not to take Art as an exam class, pursuing academic subjects about art such as art history instead. She had seen how the finished paintings were judged externally, and she didn’t have the confidence to expose something of herself that felt so precious. Entirely her choice, yet now it felt like a regret, and all the more so when her pregnancy in the final year of an art history degree had resulted in an award of degree “in absentia”.
Her final year dissertation had been on the 20th century expressionists. Those close to her were surprised, as it was so unlike her own careful and considered artwork. But this was what she loved about them: they were everything she wasn’t. Their work was about pure unbridled emotion, straight from the heart and knowing no bounds. They had occupied a space in her head ever since she had first been introduced to them. When she had been mildly depressed after her son’s birth, she found solace by immersing herself again in their paintings and it had gradually emboldened her to begin her own art again.
Ellie’s imagination was fuelled by the story of German-born expressionist Emil Nolde, who was best known for bold bright colours contrasting with intense moody dark shades. During the second world war he had been incarcerated in Nazi Germany and banned from painting. But in a secret rebellion he had produced small watercolours on postcards which, when discovered after the war, became known as the “unpainted pictures”.
And so it came to be that an old story inspired a new artwork painted on two silk parachutes, themselves relics from war. A story and a dancer were set free with a passion project which helped Ellie to find her feet again and vow that she would never let her son’s creativity be stifled.
“At the still point of a turning world” T.S. Eliot
​
​
​
​
​
​
