Liz Powell and Dr Denise N Rall (NSW)

Guardian of the Southern Convergence - the film

Guardian of the Southern Convergence is the second entry which Liz Powell and Dr Denise N Rall have collaborated on for paper on skin. In 2016 they joined with Kath Wilkinson to create Tahuna: Ocean Navigator, a piece which won the paper on skin Betta Milk Major Award of $5000 that year and was purchased by the Burnie Regional Art Gallery for their collection. 

Liz is a mixed media fibre artist often using paper as a starting point. Her work relies on the development of concept and form together, and she spends considerable time researching and evolving ideas before commencing a work or series. Denise has a strong interest in costume and textiles and works mostly in wearable art. 

In developing the concept of Guardian of the Southern Convergence, the background research undertaken by the artists is evident. The Guardian’s role is to protect the Southern Convergence – the constant current which encircles Antarctica and is the boundary of this unique ecosystem. The powerful entity is best defined here in the artist’s own words: She rises from the depths of the sea to guard and defend the Southern Convergence – Her fisherman-style pants drip with outlines of diatoms and skeletons of sea creatures embroidered with beads to catch the light as she emerges from the Southern Ocean. Her greatcoat cape is splintered and layered with streaks of whites and blues, light and shadow referencing Antarctic icebergs and shafts of sunlight penetrating icy water. Glimpses of silver beads and sequins sparkle in reflected light that radiates from both ice and ocean. She is ready to defend that unique environment.

The Concept and Design Brief (see button below), provides more detail about the Southern Convergence and the techniques and materials used in the piece.

Concept and Design Brief

Also see our WINNERS page

https://studio13paper.com.au/

Joan Stammers (TAS)

Let them Eat Cake - the film

Joan is a resident of Burnie and a 5th generation Tasmanian. Along with her creative pursuits, Joan is also a Chef, Chocolatier and a trained dressmaker and pattern maker. Joan is a two-time winner of the paper on skin Cocoon Designs Public Vote Award, both in 2014 and 2016.

She calls her design for 2020 ‘An elaborate frothy confection consisting of layers of mainly recycled papers’ (from entry submission). One of the primary materials used is washed and recycled baking paper previously used to line trays for Joan’s chocolate making business – an appropriate link to the Let Them Eat Cake design name.

Joan finds the process of using paper to make art very satisfying, given the intrinsic connection to Burnie’s proud industrial past. Recycling is important to Joan’s practice. She notes that ‘…making grand, designer, couture type garments out of recycled handmade papers an exciting paradox in a time where it is still accepted to wear such garments only once!’ (From Artist Statement).

The work is inspired by Marie Antionette – the young queen who was thrust into the lavish lifestyle of the French monarchy in the 1770’s. She received much public criticism during her reign, at which time there was rioting across France due to food shortages. Whilst it seems unlikely she ever said ‘Let them eat cake’, she was gradually reviled by her subjects because she represented all the excesses which they lacked. 

The scrutiny she and her husband experienced is not dissimilar to how the British royals are treated at the hands of the public and the media today. The fate of modern royals may not be as brutal as that of a guillotine (how Marie Antoinette met her demise), but they are sacrificed mercilessly by the paparazzi and worldwide media. 

Materials: various recycled papers – tissue, reflex, crepe, newspaper, shredded office paper

Also see our WINNERS page

Svenja (QLD)

Cosmic Leafy Sea Dragon - the film

Svenja works from her home studio in Brisbane, where she lives with her husband and unwitting 'Patron of the Arts', Matt. A previous World of WearableArt® addict, as of 2019 she has had thirteen garments accepted into the iconic New Zealand competition and show, with nine being exhibited at the World of WearableArt®  Museum, and three permanently remaining in the Museum Collection. In 2017 she graduated from TAFE Brisbane with her Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Technology. Svenja continues her studies each year by participating in textile art workshops across Australia.

She finds inspiration in the natural world, and this is strongly reflected in her works. In 2018, Svenja received the paper on skin Betta Milk Major Award of $5000 for her work Lichen Morphology. Most recently in December 2019 she spent 5 weeks on King Island studying kelp and the shoreline as part of an artist residency fostering a change in direction of her work from wearable to low-relief wall and sculptural work. 

Of this year’s entry, Svenja says: The Leafy Seadragon has always intrigued me with its delicate, decorative appearance. Taking inspiration from it, I have created my first large-scale, papier maché – over-armature, wearable art work. Great artistic licence has been taken in many ways, particularly with colour, although the organza ‘eggs’ on the limbs, usually carried on the male’s tail, are indeed a pinky/orange in nature. This is a very static, sculptural representation of a creature usually exhibiting undulating, flowing motion.

Materials: Wire and aluminium armature, metal hinges, papier maché (butchers paper), honeycomb packing paper, rope paper ribbon, egg cartons, plastic water bottle (snout), cardboard, metallic paper, acrylic paint, shibori-shaped organza, lycra bodysuit.

Also see our WINNERS page

https://www.facebook.com/StudioSvenja

https://studiosvenja.wixsite.com/mysite

Antoaneta Tica (Romania)

Let Them Be(e)! - the film

Due to COVID-19 and the international freight restrictions in place in the country of origin, Let Them Be(e)! was unable to be delivered. We thank the artist for providing these images of the finished work, which were able to be included in the film.

Visual artist Antoaneta Tica is interested in enhancing the expressiveness of the human body through the costume, being particularly attracted to the characteristic of the costume to convey the messages impregnated in it by both creator and performer. Topics approached by the artist are always related to the living world, and refer to nature or to environmental concepts. Inspired by organic life, her works are dominated by wavy lines that come to the surface from inside the fabric, or disappear into it to outline spectacular shapes as part of the final three-dimensional structures. By combining traditional techniques with innovative ones, the artist obtains unexpectedly dynamic shapes, which give the works a special visual appearance and vitality.

Concerned about the future of nature, she believes that environmental problems have become more and more obvious, and that artists have a duty to access the collective consciousness, and to challenge the audience to think about issues such as climate change and environmental awareness.

Let them Be(e)’ follows this environmental theme, with a specific focus on bees. Antoaneta says: ‘Without bees, most plants will not be able to grow anymore. Deprived of the essence of life, the Earth would become a desert where man could no longer live’. The design emphasises duality, demonstrating ‘…two opposite aspect of nature, each half of the garment, right - flourishing and humming, left - dry and silent, representing its life and death’.

‘Let them Be(e)’ is made from papier-mached egg cartons. The cartons themselves are coloured, therefore no paint is used. Highlighting the theme of duality, two textures are shown, one as cracked mud, the other like plants and flowers.

Images - Materials and Making Of

Images - Process and Making Of

Images - Completed Garment

Chloe Townsend (TAS)

Flame - the film

Chloe is an emerging artist currently studying Certificate III in Applied Fashion and Design technology at TAFE. At fifteen she made her first wearable piece for a competition - the Burnie Community Paper Clothing Competition. From a very young age Chloe has demonstrated her love of making. She finds the tactile nature of sculpting, painting and stitching is the most enjoyable part of the creative process. 

The idea for the Flame wearable art piece came about after reflecting on the ancient and powerful force of fire. The flames, although destructive, have a beauty and energy that envelops all it touches. It has power to destroy and yet there is life that regenerates from the ashes.  

The piece has flames of yellow, orange and red tissue paper with hand painted watercolour strokes and black detail to add depth. There are several, solid, flaming, rings that surround the model. The flames create an asymmetrical silhouette. The headpiece is a burning crown that gives the impression of a goddess, a mythical personification of fire. 

There is the impression that she is in control of this powerful force and it is creating a force field of flames around her. The fire is a demonstration of power, her inner spirit and passion, this makes her untouchable and strong. Fire is a force of nature, but when used wisely can bring about growth.  

Lorenny Vera (Venezuela)

Queen Guacamaya - the film

Lorenny’s passion for making helps her stay connected to her roots and her country, Venezuela. She loves to draw, create fashion and dance.  She first learned about fashion watching her mother working on clothing alterations from home. Continuing in her mother’s footsteps, she went on to study fashion design at university.

Queen Guacamaya draws on the vibrant colours of her homeland, with design elements inspired by the patterning of the Macaw, Angel Falls and the tropical landscape. Lorenny brings to life the character of Queen Guacamaya. She is the queen of the jungle. Through the work Lorenny aims to highlight the power of the woman. Whilst the piece may look like a fantasy costume, it is not. It represents all that women can achieve.

From Lorenny’s Artist’s Statement: ‘I try to include a lot of energy and vibration in all my works…I would like that when someone looks at my design that they can feel the passion, that they can feel happy.’

Donna Vo (NSW)

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.

The poem

Video: 'The Shedding' - 'Making Of' by Donna Vo

The Shedding preview booklet

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Instagram @donnavo_photo

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Tony Williams (Ohio, USA)

Black Gold, Indigo Ripple & Woodabe Vest and Pants- the film (stills)

Due to COVID-19 and associated international freight delays, three works by the Cleveland artist Tony Williams did not make it to Tasmania in time for filming. They arrived for the final portion of the exhibition at the Burnie Regional Art Gallery and were able to be photographed by Grant Wells. These images have been included in the film.

Tony Williams is a Cleveland based artist whose work has been shown in numerous local and national juried shows international shows.  He is a passionate fibre and textile artist, papermaker, creator of artist books and author and illustrator of children’s books.  

Tony’s practice specialises in the use of the pigment indigo.  ‘The blues run through my soul like my DNA my blue black skin glistening in the sunlight. As I stand on the auction block sold into slavery for my knowledge of a plant and its deep blue colour’ (from Artist’s Statement).  All three of the works selected for Design Eye Creative paper on skin 2020 are indigo themed.

Indigo Ripple – A fluttering, rippling wave like wind on water, this long-trained Indigo paper gown has an open midriff, low-cut back and a sculpted paper neckpiece 

Concept Design Sketch – Indigo Ripple

Woodabe Vest and Pants - An exploration of indigo and African surface design on handmade paper, the vest is accessorised with handmade paper beads.

Concept Design Sketch – Woodabe Vest and Pants

Black Gold - Indigo blue couture sculptural pleated and beaded kozo paper gown. The gown is worn with a grand boubou royal robe quilted, dyed indigo and with a gold lining (gold joss paper).

Concept Design Brief – Black Gold

http://tonywilliamsartist.net/

Kathryn Wilkinson (NSW)

Musings on things Ethereal - the film

Kathryn works across a wide variety of embroidery techniques from hand and machine embroidery styles, appliqué, printing and dyeing to surface embellishment, basketry and felting in both 2D and 3D forms. Tutor, educator and artist, Kathryn has exhibited extensively both nationally and overseas. In 2016 Kathryn collaborated with Liz Powell and Denise N Rall to create Tahuna: Ocean Navigator, a piece which won the paper on skin Betta Milk Major Award of $5000 that year and was purchased by the Burnie Regional Art Gallery for their collection. 

Images from nature of lichens, fungi and plants with wonderful textural surfaces were inspiration for the development of the design of Musings on things Ethereal, with Kathryn wanting to explore these textures in paper. The artist is also interested in the environmental, social, political and personal contexts within which we live. The piece was created during the time of bushfires, torrential rains and COVID-19 - created the space for looking inward… thinking about what is important, stripping back the inessential and causing no further harm to our environments. Musings on things Ethereal is about slowing down, being aware and taking personal responsibility for how we live our lives and how this impacts our world.

Materials: Various mulberry-based papers, teabags, silk organza.

Also see our WINNERS page