ENTRIES are now open for the 2015 Common Threads Wearable Art Competition’s event, Fabrication.
Local, national and international designers and artists are invited to challenge their imagination and transform the human body into a living, breathing, moving canvas as part of the event.
Participants are encouraged to use wearable art as a way to explore and create an awareness of issues and challenges in their lives, society or environment.
The competition encourages the creation of art that does not conform and garments don’t need to be commercially viable, expensive or even be taken seriously; they simply need to be wearable.
All art forms are covered including body painting and the competition is open to all skill levels.
Over the years, the event which is part of the Stretch Arts Festival, has seen a number of stunning and thought-provoking garments come to the forefront.
The competition offers many opportunities for professional exposure, with the finalists displayed at events including the Common Threads Wearable Art showcase at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Contemporary Art Spaces Mandurah (CASM) and the Every Woman Expo.
Prize money of more than $4000 is up for grabs and entrants and members of the public are invited to take part in a number of skill development workshops conducted by a leading artist and designer.
The first, Creative Techniques, will see artist Ashley Bowley deconstruct her 2014 wearable art piece as part of a hands-on workshop.
Participants will then work with paper products and transform them into rigid, interesting shapes.
Award winning designer, Kerry Gelmi will host the second workshop, Fabulous Felt, introducing some unique felting techniques as a basis for creating wearable art.
Ms Gelmi believes many of the world’s top designers are now rejecting synthetic fabrics in favour of natural fibres such as hand spun wool, silk and felt.
Creative Techniques will be held on Saturday, August 23 at CASM.
Cost is $30 however for artists who have already submitted their entry form it is $10.
For more information go to mandurah.wa.gov.au/wearableart.htm or email stretch@mandurah.wa.gov.au