imitation leather, fake fur, buttons
Living sculptures, furry is part of a growing series of wearable hand knitted and stitched soft sculptures. Normally, in an art gallery, there are signs saying ‘Do not touch’; what happens if the viewer is not only encouraged to touch but is invited to become a living sculpture by wearing an abstract soft sculpture? What would it look like? How would it feel?
Identity is often communicated through the clothes we wear, but, at a deeper level, the multiple selves we reveal to the world can conceal our true sense of self. Living sculptures investigates this disconnect.
Living sculpture, furry is part of a larger body of work in progress where, using traditional garment-making skills and unexpected materials, I am developing a selection of more readily wearable sculptures which can be put on and removed independently by visitors. The passive viewer can choose to become an active participant, a performer; or, for the onlooker, the space will be transformed into a dynamic, ever-changing, interactive experience.
It’s made out of white imitation leather and has sculptural, stuffed patches of fake fur stitched to it. Because of the rigidity of the imitation leather, it has a quirky bell-like shape. I added 2 large white buttons as closures.
It’s probably the most easily wearable Living sculpture so far. It almost looks as if it could be an actual article of clothing, albeit rather an eccentric one! Maybe though, for some people it would be easier to try on as it’s not as odd as my new knitted series of five, brightly coloured Living sculptures!
Living sculpture, furry, 2018
(Click for full image)
I really enjoy the way that wearing these sculptures makes people move in interesting ways! One of my models was compelled to strike a range of classic modelling poses.....
Most of my static soft sculptures are technically wearable, and at some point during the process of making, I try on most of my sculptures. It’s part of making them me and is also part of my ongoing research into the links between clothing, body and identity. Yet they are often, realistically, utterly unwearable.
I made this sculpture for a Living sculptures day at Bristol Museum’s 'Make Space' alongside The Woman’s Hour Crafts’ Prize exhibition in July 2018. I provided mirrors and some static soft sculptures for photo opportunities. It had some brilliant feedback . Participants found it playful and fun but also said that it provoked a range of conflicting responses. I documented the event with photos, videos and interactive feedback and feel that it was highly successful. I’m planning to add to this series and provide further opportunities for a larger, more immersive experience.
Here are some more images of the Living sculptures in my garden and at the event at Bristol Museum:
At Make Space, it was fabulous to see how participants moved differently when they wore this sculpture, dancing...
... and rocking!
Have a look at the documentation of the research and development of my Living sculptures in 2018. It includes a week trialing Living sculptures at 'disquiet', Walcot Chapel, Bath in September 2018. Living sculpture, furry didn’t feature during that week, but my knitted Living sculptures did!