Finalists for the 2018 Wearable Art Mandurah showcase have been announced, with a variety of unique and colour garments in the running for top prize.
Held on June 9-10, the showcase attracts entrants from across the world to the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre.
The 2018 competition has seen the largest amount of entrants, with 132 participants from Australia and abroad, including Singapore, China, the UK, India, New Zealand, Switzerland and Romania.
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The event encourages participants to create thought-provoking works of art for the body, based around set categories.
This year’s event included five categories which were aimed to be inclusive to all skill levels and ages: avant-garde, transformation, metallic, tertiary student and youth (under 18 years old).
The showcase will also involve creative and innovative music, dancing and theatre performances.
Mandurah mayor Rhys Williams said he believed events of this nature were “imperative to fostering creativity in our community”.
“Investing in our community, and beyond, to stretch imaginations, broaden networks and ultimately grow aspirations is a key catalyst for ensuring our best days are ahead of us,” he said.
“Through Wearable Art Mandurah we are providing a unique opportunity for designers from far and wide, and in the local community, to explore and express their passion.
“When the competition first started there were just 13 entries… it now attracts incredible entries from all over the world.
“I can’t wait to see this year’s finalists come to life at the showcase.”
Whispers Progressive Garment:
Described as like a game of Chinese whispers, the Whispers Progressive Garment was created in collaboration with six artists from around Australia.
The garment commenced in Perth in September 2017, and then made its way to Alice Springs, Adelaide, Darwin, Tasmania and finally finishes in Perth on April 1.
Artists involved in the project included Jodie Davidson (WA), Carmel Ryan (NT), Cheryl Bridgart (SA), Bronwyn Packwood (NT), Stephanie Reynolds (Tas) and Sue Girak (WA).
Drawing inspiration from archaeology, the theme of this year’s Whispers garment was based on the Skrydstrup Woman.
Discovered in Denmark in 1935, Skrydstrup Woman is one of the best-preserved Bronze Age bodies in the world.
Project coordinator Anzara Clark chose the theme as it connected historical origins of the textile processes whilst celebrating and acknowledging the history and the expertise that goes into the creation of Wearable Art Mandurah works.
“The textile techniques and materials used in early European history are the foundations of the body of textile knowledge that today’s textile artists draw upon,” she said.
“I was particularly taken by the fact that Skrydstrup Woman was a migrant, travelling from her early life location to the place where she lived and died.
“The migrant experience is common today, and migration spreads knowledge and connects apparently unconnected areas.
“The journey of the artists involved in Whispers, although unseen by the wider arts community, is as important as the final work they produce.”
Showcase tickets are available from the Wearable Art Mandurah website.
