Daily Artsy Figurative Masterworks Mixed Media Paintings Sculpture

Fashion Forward Art

Kicking off artsyF A S H I O NWeek here at Artsy Forager!  Fashion and art have long been intertwined.  For centuries, artists have, perhaps at times unwittingly, been the recorders of the history of fashion and style.  It is in thanks to artwork that we can track what was worn by whom hundreds of years ago.  Paintings weren’t just art, but were the fashion magazines and blogs of their day.  For instance, thanks to Vermeer, we see a glimpse of the difference in the daily costume of the classes in a Mistress and Maid.

Mistress and Maid by Johannes Vermeer, c. 1666-1667

Today’s artists seem to have a bit more freedom to interpret instead of record.  Fashion is such an integral part of our modern culture, it is no surprise that it still holds a fascination for contemporary artists.  For some artists, the fashions themselves are worthy focal points.  Denver artist Roxanne Rossi elevates a simple dress’s silhouette into an artistic statement, a sculptural fashion plate, clean but heavy in texture, it seems like it could come to life at any moment.

Afternoon Delight by Roxanne Rossi, acrylic, 36x60

Sometimes the fashion media becomes a literal component to a piece of fashion-influenced art, such as in the collage work of Melbourne, Florida artist Derek Gores.  His imagery has the composition of a Vogue magazine spread and the collaged photos, magazine, labels, etc give each piece a painterly depth.

All Summer Long by Derek Gores, mixed media collage

Painter Kelly Reemtsen uses the constraints of mid-century era mindsets about fashion and juxtaposes them with garden tools and hardware, producing visual statements about the expectations placed on women, by themselves and the world at large.

Throwback by Kelly Reemtsen, oil on panel, 36x36

Celebrating the female form, both physically and spiritually, Leigh Pennebaker’s wire sculptures reveal designs that are sensuous and soft, despite their industrial materials.

Madeline by Leigh Pennebaker, wire sculpture

Like many fashion-forward artists, Megan Cosby began with an interest in fashion design, but decided she was more interested in the people themselves and what their style said about their personality, who they are, where they’ve been and where they are going.

Better by Megan Cosby, mixed media on canvas, 14x12

And then there’s the smart and cheeky work of Sarah Ashley Longshore, at once playing homage and poking fun to our culture’s obsession with fashion.  I’ve featured her Audrey Hepburn paintings several times on the blog, but she also has this fabulous series focused on fashion and pop culture.

Trophy Wife Junk Drawer by Sarah Ashley Longshore, acrylic and high gloss reisn on canvas, 48x72

More fashiony-artsy goodness to come this week!  Stay tuned.

Featured image is Major Poontang by Sarah Ashley Longshore.

You Might Also Like

  • Deconstructing Beauty « Artsy Forager
    October 6, 2011 at 11:10 AM

    […] you probably noticed during the recent artsyF A S H I O N Week, I have a keen interest in the gray areas where art and fashion collide.  What we wear and […]

  • As The Fabric Folds « Artsy Forager
    November 3, 2011 at 12:30 PM

    […] student has known the joy of capturing supple folds of fabric in charcoal.  As we explored during artsyF A S H I O NWeek, many artists have been captivated by the beauty of intricately crafted garments. […]

  • Azreen
    November 8, 2011 at 2:00 AM

    good

  • Fashion Fragmented « Artsy Forager
    November 17, 2011 at 1:56 PM

    […] you were around for artsyFASHIONWeek, you may already have an inkling of my interest in the relationship between fashion and art. […]

  • Sensual Flora: Megan Cosby « Artsy Forager
    July 17, 2012 at 9:34 AM

    […]  Florida artist Megan Cosby definitely falls into that category.  I’ve always loved her figurative work, but when I saw her beginning to move in a more abstract direction, I knew she was really getting […]