Anzara Clark
Bushido – Way of the Warrior
Bushido – Way of the Warrior
Vintage Japanese book pages, recycled used teabags, sashiko thread, paper yarn, dye, paint and Bondcrete
Photo: Grant Wells
About the piece
Bushido - Way of the Warrior, explores the tensions between the martial and non-martial philosophical aspects of the Samurai tradition, whereby aggression is tempered by self-discipline, honour dances with loyalty, and justice and benevolence are inseparable. Not uncommonly with Anzara's practice, she allowed the piece and the character to guide it's progress. The result: two distinct garments were required in order to portray all that was essential about this ancient and powerful way of life.
Samurai tradition was underpinned by the Eight Virtues of Bushido, otherwise known as 'The Samurai Code'. The eight virtues - justice, courage, mercy, politeness, honesty, honour, loyalty and self-control - are embellished in calligraphy on the back of the kimono. The Kimono is paired with a complete set of ancient Samurai armour, reflecting the discipline of the warrior's life, whereby every detail demonstrates a commitment to the philosophy of Bushido. The armour consists of over 2000 hand cut and shaped laminated paper scales and over 2 kilograms of hand twisted paper yarn. (Edited from Design Concept submitted for entry).
Materials: Recycled vintage Japanese book pages, recycled used teabags (1800 in total!) sashiko thread, paper yarn, dye, paint and Bondcrete.
Photo: Grant Wells
About the artist
‘I am a multidisciplinary artist living and working in Melbourne, Australia. In my studio practice I am constantly experimenting, following inspiration and my own curiosity as I explore new possibilities for materials, processes, visual narratives and conceptual expression. I exhibit in group and solo exhibitions, and make work for projects and for commissions. As well as my studio practice, I am an arts educator and an arts project developer and manager, working in community and professional settings. I deliver a range of workshops for a diverse client base and am able to customise workshops and develop innovative projects for specific groups and purposes. I have a particular interest in art as a tool for generating health and wellbeing and as a way of processing trauma and grief.
With a focus mainly on the application of textile and printmaking techniques on paper, I use new and repurposed papers, along with textiles and other recycled and found objects to explore layered narratives and visual poetics. Garment forms and fragments feature prominently in my work as rich vehicles for storytelling and poetry. I employ repetitive processes to obscure the nature of my materials until viewed closely and intend my works to challenge assumptions about material value.
Working across a range of mediums and genres, I am fascinated with exploring themes of individual and cultural identity, archetypes and icons, memory and myth, fragility and resilience, significant human transitions and transformative experiences. My work is driven by an intense curiosity that finds endless inspiration and opportunities for creative experimentation from seeking beauty in damage, wounding and imperfection.’
https://anzaraclark.com/
http://rangestrader.mailcommunity.com.au/mail/2016-09-13/anzara-wears-her-art-on-her-sleeve/
http://palliativecare.org.au/palliative-matters/when-the-christening-and-funeral-are-one/#.WBQivne81Mg.facebook