innocence lost – triptych

Description

the years 
imprint their shadows 
on my skin

inscribe themselves 
on memory 
like wounds

and so

they weave 
their tenuous threads 
through all my days

the fabric of 
my life forever 
changed

Three dresses; three themes. Each section of the triptych is made from eco-dyed vintage linens and blanketing, and then printed and stitched to add texture and meaning. Each section also interprets one of three ideas (l-r): signs and symbols, diamonds and rust, and smoke and mirrors.

I love working with textiles, and more and more with natural dyes and hand stitching. For some time I have been developing a series of works entitled ‘written in the cloth’, and this entry is the eighth so far. The cloth tells its story without words, through the colours and textures incorporated within it.

[dresses – eco dyed vintage pillow cases and table napkins; background – eco dyed and hand stitched vintage blanket; found objects; oil stick rubbings; middle panel – bejewelled embellishment; machine and hand stitched]

Measurements available by request.

“I am a Canadian-born eco artist living and working in the island state of Tasmania. I hold a Bachelor of Education (Art Major, distinction) and a diploma of Art Craft Design; I taught within the state education system, did management and community work, and then found my true calling after having a work-related breakdown in 2002. I opened my gallery/studio exactly 1 year later to the day and discovered eco printing and dyeing in 2008. I have always loved textiles and stitching and part of my mission is to raise awareness of them as a valid art form. My underlying philosophy is to create products and source materials as ethically as I can. I find and reinvent vintage and preloved clothing, fabrics and other materials with natural dyes, paints made from the earth and deconstruction techniques, allowing them to inspire my work. Materials for natural printing and colour are mostly foraged from our own property, where I can manage the trees and plants respectfully. My business is based in northeastern Tasmania, Australia; this is where I display and sell my work.“

art is like breathing to me – life and thoughts impressed on paper, cloth, the air; fleeting sounds and images captured before they escape forever

(c) Rita Summers

Visit my website to see what is current in products and workshops. I do offer a few online workshops if you are not local to Tasmania.   Gone Rustic Studio