ART U WEAR
ART U WEAR 2011 competition theme is...
CIRCUS BERSERKUS!
There's nothing like a circus to provide a feast of colour, costumes and carnival atmosphere, so textile artists had no shortage of inspiration with this year's Art U Wear theme of 'Circus Berserkus'.
Rising to the creative challenge and exploring the rich culture of circus life, textile artists from around Australia, New Zealand and the USA have entered the competition, vying for a chance to share in the $5299 prize pool.
Circus characters make an appearance in the costume line-up; whether brilliant or bizarre, glittering and glamorous, freakish or fearless. Acrobats, clowns, contortionists and the ring master are all depicted.
Some designers portray the acts and paraphernalia including the big top complete with bunting and flags. Others have chosen to focus on the controversy of the circus in recent times; and then there are those who have taken their cue from the contemporary spectacle of Cirque du Soleil.
Roll up, Roll Up!
...see these amazing costumes.
The Prizes:
Total prize pool: $5299 to be divided as follows:
1st prize: $3,000 cash
2nd prize: Bernina 350PE sewing machine valued at $1,799 rrp
Viewers' Choice: $500 cash
sponsored by:
and
Julia Sai Carlson, from the USA, has explored folding techniques to give incredible dimension and an architectural feel to her costume.
Tilly the Tightrope Walker's costume by Kirry Toose, from NSW, has bubbly and heavily textured quilting stabilized by couching purple ribbon between the puffs. The sleeves are handwoven with strips of silk and yarn. The knitted, multi-coloured, textured cuff was created with a combination of assorted yarns. The boned collars have cutwork layered over tulle. The multicoloured silk dress consists of 54 godets, with the bodice a 'rag-tag' mixture of strip piecing, with an overlay of silk patches and tiny buttons.
Michelle Rotheram & Margret Tregilgas have created Ring Mistress. A circular tutu and rounded romper pants, fitted bodice covered in glimmering gemstones is a fitting costume for the woman commanding control of the arena.
Siren of the Sea by Svenja, from Queensland, is inspired by turn of the century circuses, which had a penchant for the freakish. The Siren of the Sea is part woman, part jellyfish! See her scales glisten, marvel at her amazing jellyfish half! Dressed in the finery of the time, she is part Victorian lady, part jellyfish mermaid, with glistening tendrils, flowing over her skirt.
A glittering costume with stripes and bunting referring back to the big top has been created by Cathy Clur from Qld.
From NSW, Tess Tavener Hanks' Circus Berserkus entry has 1,784 poms poms supported by hula hoops, a foam structure and boning. The Victorian corset consists of 14 segments created by weaving ribbons, wool and braid, held together by Vliesofix with the edges embellished by finger knitting and fringing.
