Two exciting artists will join the judging panel at a unique event that melds fashion and art.
Brisbane’s Bethany Cordwell and New Zealand’s Fifi Colston will be key figures at the Australian Wearable Art Festival at Venue 114, Bokarina, on August 11-12.
Ms Cordwell achieved international fame when Beyonce wore her black and white bodysuit, which was made out of 55,000 hand-cut plastic office binders, for the Renaissance album artwork in 2022.
She then used this technique to win the Avant Garde category at last year’s World of Wearable Art Festival.
She said wearable art was a special genre.
“(It) is such a unique platform where sculptural form, technique, wearability and the ‘wow’ factor all play such an important part in delivering a winning piece,” she said via a media release.
“Garments exhibited at the festival are crafted from a range of unlikely materials, including in the past ring pull tabs, bicycle tires, flowers, teabags, feathers and all sorts of found or repurposed objects, which have been transformed into avant-garde pieces.
“Wearable art‘s popularity is evident in recent fashion and arts trends, such as the acclaimed Alexander McQueen exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria. McQueen, a highly original fashion designer, showcased the connection between fashion and art through his innovative collections.”
Ms Colston, a world-class artist and creative from Wellington, brings her award-winning expertise as an illustrator, writer and costume and props maker to the judging panel.
She said wearable art‘s evolution reflected the ever-changing landscape of artistic expression, embracing unconventional materials, techniques and concepts to challenge traditional notions of fashion and personal adornment.
“I have been creating wearable art for more than 25 years and over that time, I have watched designers move away from largely costume based, fairly literal solutions and instead use the medium as an exciting canvas for both performance and static exhibition,” she said.
“The application of traditional art practice and the incorporation of new technologies makes for innovative thinking and construction.
“I see designers exploring the vast potential of form, texture, colour and materials. Electronics, 3D printing and digital art along with thoughtful exploration into found materials allows for huge innovations in the creative process.
“It’s an exciting time for wearable art designers as they push the boundaries of art, fashion and costume design.”
Festival curator Wendy Roe said the event stood at the forefront of the Australian wearable art movement, providing a platform for artists and designers to showcase their creations.
“The festival features four main categories: Trashion, Sustainable Nature, Floriana and Avant Garde, along with recognising an overall winner, emerging artist, best representation of haute-couture and the best headpiece,” she said.
“Last year’s Avant Garde and Supreme winners, Evita Camilleri and Dan Draper, captivated the audience with their innovative sculptural artworks made from garden hose and cable ties. This talented duo returns as finalists, generating anticipation for their upcoming presentation.”
This year’s event will feature 40 national and international works showcased on a 27-metre catwalk spanning three shows. The finalists represent diverse locations including Poland, Germany, the United States, Queensland and other parts of Australia, reflecting the festival’s growing international appeal.
This event is supported by Sunshine Coast Council, Fresh PR and Marketing, the De Deyne family, Sunshine Plaza, Horse and Water and Converge Marketing.
Tickets can be purchased via Australian Wearable Art.
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