Personal Statement

Semester Two Fashion Project: Impact

Personal Statement Emma Cusack

For my project I started off with the three words: Impact, Pierce and Spicy. After having investigated all three words with a series of swatches and research into the word from studies, artwork and images the word I was particularly drawn to the ideas for the word impact. I began brainstorming the ideas for my sculpture and was highly interested in sculptural works of the artists Anish Kapoor and Cathy de Monchaux. In Monchaux’s work I was interested mainly in the use of mixed media. It was from this that I wanted to represent the Impact of explosion through the use of mix media. I used several form of materials in my sculpture from plaster, which I enjoyed using immensely in my first semester Movement and Motion project, to wax, yarn, laytex and various fabrics starting in the centre of the piece to the outside to represent the explosion through a vast range of materials.

          After completing my sculpture I then physically used my I was sculpture on the stand and placed it in different positions. I took a lot of photograghs of the sculpture and I also placed it on the photocopier. This was the most effective method of documenting it as the colours were the most vibrant. After pulling shapes I then found it best to work on the stand with the shapes to recreate the explode theme running throughout, starting in the centre and graduating into less on the outer parts. After pulling my final shape from drawings on the croquis I felt my final design really depicted the word impact and the action to expode.     For the execution of my garment I it was vital to use the key elements which I had used in my sculpture. I used the leatherette as it was manageable and did not fray. For my other colours I used poly-cotton and dipped the pieces in wax.  Along with the wax I also wanted to use the yarn and placed it on the white leatherette. To bring all these elements of my garment I used a combination of thread and heavy purpose glue as some of the parts were too thick of heavy to sew. Whilst doing the piece the idea of putting yarn flowing down the back from the neck strap came up in a tutorial and after doing this I thought it really was very effective.

          During this project I really enjoyed the range of processes and different approaches that were taken towards it throughout the last number of weeks. One aspect I really enjoyed the combination of fine art and design throughout the project and over all I was really happy with the way the garment turned out.