If you were around for artsyFASHIONWeek, you may already have an inkling of my interest in the relationship between fashion and art. Lately, I’ve been thinking more and more about the influence of the fashion industry, what the clothes we wear say about our personalities and just the general psychology behind the fueling of the fashion industry and the choices that we make. Toronto artist Amanda Clyne examines the influence of fashion upon our psyche in her paintings, in which she “examines the image as a mirror of our desires”.
Amanda finds inspiration for her work in the pages of art history books and fashion magazines, seeing similarities between fashion photography of today and historical portraits of the elite. They both carry with them the same fascination with beauty, wealth and transformation.. “images intended to fuel a spectacle of desire with feigned promises of intimacy and truth”. ( Amanda Clyne via her website )
The artist fragments her subject, creating an elusive illusion, much like a hall of mirrors. Our eyes deceive us, all isn’t as it would seem. An important point to remember when gazing longingly at those $300 shoes that will make us beautiful and desirable. ( Um, not that I’ve ever done that.. )
The way she uses fragments of images to create the whole could be an interpretation of the illusionary aspects of fashion advertising and photography. The images we see are the composition of designers, photographers, photo editors, art directors, etc. They represent an idealized portrayal of only one aspect of our being.
To see more of Amanda Clyne’s work, please visit her website and Facebook page. If any of you Canadians out there are in Toronto, be sure to check out her latest show opening December 8th at p|m Gallery.
Featured image is Mirror, Mirror ( diptych ), oil on canvas, 72×36. All images are via the artist’s website.
Art and textiles have enjoyed a long and happy partnership. Every art student has known the joy of capturing supple folds of fabric in charcoal. As we explored duringartsyF A S H I O NWeek, many artists have been captivated by the beauty of intricately crafted garments. In her work, Massachusetts photographer Carin Ingalsbe celebrates the remarkable colors, textures and patterns of clothing and costume.
New York City Ballet, Ballet Imperial Yellow
Carin’s latest series focuses concentration on fashion normally admired from afar– ballet costumes.
Boston Ballet, Boston Bluebird
Inherently, these opulent pieces are designed to be beautiful while in movement. But in her closely cropped still lifes, Carin captures their quiet beauty and we are treated to a look at the intricacies of each individual garment.
New York City Ballet, Sugarplum FairyNew York City Ballet, Ballet Imperial
If you are anything like me, you’re now dreaming of floating across the stage in one of these numbers. To see more of Carin Ingalsbe’s stunning photographs, please visit her website. Make sure you read the history of each garment– fascinating stuff!
You can also check out Carin’s work in person at Lanoue Fine Art in Boston.
Featured image is The Royal Swedish Ballet, Metallic Skirt c. 1790-1830. All images are via the artist’s website.
As 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 it’s design is such an integrated part of our culture and psyche that it is no surprise that clothes influence art and vice versa.
A Magical Life, steel mesh, plaster, oil and mixed media, 56x30x30
Often in art, clothing is used as a symbol, as a vehicle for deeper thought. This is especially true in the work of New Mexico artist Christina Chalmers. Her sculptures and mixed media pieces are, in her own words, contemplations on the “cloaking and revealing of the inner self”.
Acquaintance of Kelp Forests, kelp, driftwood, vintage silk and lace, 56x41x41
Through her use of organic and weathered found materials, we see an interconnectedness with who we truly are and the self we are projecting out to the world via our appearance.
The Fleeting Things of Time No. 4, mixed media, copper and oil on panel, 60×48Sea Dress II, kelp, shells and steel mesh, 34x25x9
In her sculptures especially, I see this connection between the deconstructed, feminine garments and the found and organic materials that is incredibly intriguing. The texture and patina of the materials are such a striking juxtaposition between the ladylike flowing shape– powerful in their vulnerability. Just like us as women.
What do you think of these? Do you see what I’m seeing or have a different perspective to share?
To see more of Christina Chalmers’ work, visit her page on the Selby Fleetwood Gallery website. If you’re in Santa Fe, you can see her work in person at the gallery. It will definitely be on my list when I finally get to Santa Fe!
Featured image is I am the Root, the Wind and the Bird ( detail ) by Christina Chalmers, mixed media on panel.
What separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize!
— Clairee Belcher, Steel Magnolias
Just as accessories are the icing on an outfit’s cake, so this round up will be the icing on the cake of artsyF A S H I O NWeek! Some wearable, some not, all fun!
Shell, mosaic shoe by Candace BahouthBroach by Tatiana WarenichovaRaspberry by Ana HagopianMy Laundrette by Sharla Valeski
Many artists see their wardrobe as an extension of their creative personalities. So for artsyF A S H I O NWeek, I thought it would be fun to feature a few of my favorite stylish artists side-by-side with their work. You’ll see that often their style carries over from canvas to clothes.
THE URBAN GENTLEMAN: STEVE WILLIAMS
Passion Of The World ( cropped ) with Pioneer Chaser with artist Steve Williams
THE HIP RUSTIC: DOLAN GEIMAN
Artist Dolan Geiman with Made In The Shade Guitar Collection ( Large )
THE ECLECTIC ECCENTRIC: SHARLA VALESKI
Liberated with artist, Sharla Valeski
There are hints about who we are in what we choose to wear. What are your clothes saying about you?
To see more of these artists’ work, please visit their websites, listed below.
Jacksonville artist Christina Foard has been developing a series of paintings, “Dresses”, which explore the connection between what we wear, our personality, our past, present and future. Here, Christina talks candidly about this series and what she sees as the psychology behind our fashion choices.
AF: Hi Christina! Thank you so much for taking the time for this little interview. You know how much I love your work. I am completely enamored with your dress series and am so excited you have been creating some new pieces! How did this series begin and how has it evolved?
C: I’ve been working on dresses since 2008. It began with self-portraits where I am wearing gowns painted with mapped areas or terrain I’ve covered. Mapped gowns was a personification and extension of aerial landscapes that I had begun a year prior. (Ballerina Dance, The Written Legacy, Fluid Gown ( below ), The Courtesan, A Life-changing Conversation, A Single Mom’s Playground, Picnic of Adulthood are some of these.) Since it was more about the journey, decisions and influences, I eventually removed the figure altogether. I began to place myself in and amongst other women, each of us represented symbolically as a dress. In these, I paint the way someone feels to me. It’s more about vitality and energy than their physical presence…a little like painting a pattern of the music they emanate and comparing those rhythmic differences in a series. ( “Pajama Party” ( below ), “Three Sisters”, “Five Friends” ). For example, a 90 year old woman with a saucy, adventuresome personality might end up with the most flamboyant and lively dress, which looks more suitable for a 20 year old.
Recently, in “Polka Dot Party” ( below ) and a few others, my focus area shifted from observing others to a discussion of how I choose to present myself to the world around me each day. Again, choices, decisions and influences.
Liquid Gown, oil on canvas, 60×48
The Pajama Party, oil on canvas, 36×60
AF: Tell me about what you see as the psychology around fashion and the garments we choose to clothe ourselves in.
C: When we are shopping for clothes, we pass up most items available. We reject all the items which don’t fit our perception of ourselves or our perception of our bodies. These rejections are as telling as what we eventually choose to buy. We essentially have to contend with the roles we play in our relationships as well as physical issues that dictate attire: seasons, terrain and climate. Specifically for women whose options vary greatly, our choices can openly display themes of femininity: sexuality, power, accessibility, creativity, compassion, social status, affluence, self-respect. Because our attire speaks so loudly about who we are and who we aren’t, we also deal with influence and who we hope to engage with on a given day. How accessible do I want to make myself today? How much do I want to reveal? How much do I want to conceal? Do I want to lead or do I want to be one of the masses? Do I want to bring attention to myself? These aren’t conscious questions we ask ourselves necessarily; yet they sit below the surface.
Behavior and language is affected by dress. From my personal experience I’ve noticed that I’m more expressive and creative when I wear a long scarf; more formal, precise, and attentive wearing a suit jacket; more nurturing and tactile in a long flowing dress. I notice my energy, tone, and carriage alters depending on the femininity of my fabrics, the structural formality of a garment, the heel height of my shoes, the accessories I’ve chosen. My language and sentence structures change, my accessibility to others is affected. The emotional, physical, and psychological components are intertwined. This, I find fascinating.
Orange Scarf, oil on canvas, 29×42
AF: I’ve noticed a few of your latest works in this series are named after women. Are these “portraits” of specific women?
C:Yes, they are. It is part of a social “inspiration” project that I began in 2009 and will be complete in the next several months. It is comprised of 6 individual paintings around 40″ and one larger 10′ painting. It is entitled Accidental Mentors Project and I’ll be sure to let you know all about it when fully complete.
Cindy: Structural Integrity
AF: I can’t wait to see the completed series! Do you have a favorite article of clothing? What makes it special and what does it say about you, as a woman, as an artist or as a mother?
C:I found this question challenging, if you can believe it. I decided on one long skirt I’ve had for about 6 years. It has a conservative pattern on a somewhat sheer fabric, yet a Latin-inspired construction. Every time I wear it, it makes me feel like dancing and I couldn’t feel more feminine or more perfectly my age in it. Because of how it makes me feel, I’ve also had some great memories attached to it. That adds a sentimental component.
Decisions, mixed media on canvas, 36×60
AF: Finally, just for fun.. What are you wearing? 😉
C:Pink racer-back NIKE T-shirt, navy blue Adidas cropped workout pants and my favorite socks – my running shoes yet to be put on. Plus, a little locket with my kids’ tiny toddler faces inside. The combination seems perfect at this quiet, early morning moment before the sun has arrived.
A huge thank you to Christina for sharing her work and insights. To see more of this talented artist’s work, please visit her website.
Featured image is Christina in her downtown Jacksonville studio. All images are courtesy of the artist’s website.
What do you get when you take one part line sketch + one part abstract expressionism + a flair for fashion? The stunning work of Denver artist/photographer/designer, Leigh Viner. Leigh elevates what could be a simple fashion sketch to fine art by her extraordinary eye for composition, figurative expression and well-placed explosions of color and texture.
Push
Look closely at the women Leigh is painting. These models aren’t faceless mannequins, each one has a story to tell. Their faces are full of subtle emotion– vulnerability, longing, confidence.
PerceiveGatsby
The strength of her work is in it’s simplicity. She is an artist that understands “less is more”. In her hands, a simple line drawing becomes a striking portrait with just a few limited dashes of color.
Draw The LineAbstractions Aside
To see more of Leigh’s work, visit her website. Her work is available for purchase in her Etsy store, jkldesign, which features original art, as well as prints of her artwork and photography. Leigh also writes a delightful blog, CREATE. You’ll be inspired.
Argie Mitra has such creativity and talent oozing out of her that it seems she has her hands in everything. She’s an artist, a stylist, a jewelry designer, a costume designer, a window-display designer AND an up-and-coming fashion designer with her own independent line, Mitra. If there is a creative project going on, you can bet she will be part of it.
Lacae Trapeze Dress, Mitra, Myco-Reverie Fall 2011
It is this sponge-like absorption of the artistic world around her results in designs that are a fantastic amalgamation of inspirations put together in a uniquely Mitra way.
Mitra, Myco-Reverie Fall 2011
This young designer is just a year out of college and she is well on her way to accomplishing great things. I first got to know Argie when she worked as a gallery assistant while I was working for Fogle Fine Art. It has been such a privilege to watch her blossom and I can’t wait to be able to say I knew her when!
Nidia strapless top, Dusia maxi skirt, Mitra, Myco-Reverie Fall 2011
To see more of Argie Mitra’s fabulous designs, please visit her website and Facebook page.
All images are courtesy of the designer’s website. Photography by Lauren M. Gherardi.
It seems that the art world is embracing fashion and its cultural influence. The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s recent Alexander McQueen exhibit, Savage Beauty, broke attendance records for fashion exhibits at the institution. Designers, especially ones specializing in couture fashion, seem to have more freedom than ever to create uniquely artistic forms. We see designers such as the late McQueen taking inspiration from the art world and creating masterpieces in their own way.
Dress, VOSS, Alexander McQueen, razor clam shells stripped and varnished
Are these practical clothes? No. But then, art isn’t created for practicality’s sake. It is created to be an outlet and a source of inspiration. McQueen and other designers like him have taken inspiration from the forms and textures of ancient and modern sculpture to develop glorious garments that inspire.
Jean Paul GaultierMary KatrantzouStephane RollandManish Arora, Autumn/Winter 2011-2012
On a simple dressmaker’s form, these could be mistaken for museum-worthy sculptures, but when worn, they become a moving work of art.
The paintings of Wm. Coleman Mills have an undeniable texture– they make you want to touch them. And they are full of gorgeous, saturated color, which makes you want to wear them. So after hearing the pleas of fans of his artwork, the artist set about the task of recreating his artwork into textile designs, namely scarves.
Sunset At Grand Lagoon scarfSunset At Grand Lagoon by Wm. Coleman Mills, encaustic on canvas, 144×48
Those who know me well know that I have a weakness for scarves. It’s one of the reasons I was excited to move to the Pacific Northwest– scarf weather year-round!! So when I heard that one of my favorite painters was debuting a line of scarves based on details of his work, I got just a little OK, a LOT excited. These lovely textiles beautifully capture the essence of a coastal Southern summer, but are versatile enough to wear any season of the year.
Wind Swirling On Gulf Water scarf from WMCM Studio
The scarves are made by photographing each inspiration painting and converting the photo into a digital CAD file. It is then cropped and digitally screen printed onto a lightweight cotton voile and hand-finished in the artist’s hometown and current residence of Fairhope, Alabama. Each scarf is 24×72 inches and made-to-order. They can be backed with either silk or cotton and are signed and numbered by the artist.
Water's Edge scarf from WMCM Studio
This is your chance to own a beautiful piece of wearable artwork! More info on the scarves is available on the WMCM website and pre-orders are being taken now! I can’t wait to see what other textiles he comes up with next.. I’m thinking throw pillows, bedding, window treatments, etc!
PS– Be sure to take a gander at Coleman’s artwork while you’re on his website.. not to be missed!
