The Shedding - the film
Winner Awagami Paper Award in Recognition of the use of handmade/artisanal paper - $500 supply of Awagami Editioning papers.
Donna is a Sydney-based photographer, designer and Creative Director of Donna Vo Photography. She has a BA in Design Visual Communication from the University of Western Sydney. A passionate maker since her teenage years, Donna is deeply influenced by nature, music and texture. Donna has experimented with various mediums, but central to her approach is her love of the handmade.
For The Shedding Donna has used abaca paper 60gsm, hemp paper, Awagami washi (beige) and also cream, raw and white paper raffia.
The piece represents the shedding of ideals placed on a female as a child, a young adult and as a mother. Donna has utilised handmade techniques such as embroidery, weaving and braiding – things we share with our daughters and learn from our mothers and grandmothers.
In creating The Shedding, Donna utilitsed these techniques herself for the first time. Suring the 80 hours it took to complete the piece, there were phases of redesign and reworking to ensure the function and aesthetic of the outfit fulfilled Donna’s overall vision.
*Although Awagami washi is one of the paper’s used, this is not a pre-condition for receiving this award. It is, indeed, a beautiful, quality, artisanal paper.
Donna has written a poem to accompany the piece, the words coming during the early hours of making when all was quiet. See audio recording link.
Video: 'The Shedding' - 'Making Of' by Donna Vo
The Shedding preview booklet
Also see our WINNERS page
Instagram @donnavo_photo
Facebook www.facebook.com/donnavophotography