A Figure Study

"An ode to the beautiful and fantastic Maria.
A true female inspiration throughout my life... You are my rock."

A celebration of the female form, conducted through a collection of woodblock and etched prints originating from my own life drawing sketches. Black ink on white paper they are very large and impacting on the wall with each print standing at 40 x 56 inches.
Some have been etched into persex by hand and others have been carved into wood by hand to get the lovely organic textures that the ink gives when rolled onto the paper.

Mikromegas

'The idea is that the placement of the planets at any given moment in time reflects the nature of that moment and especially anything which is born then.'

My design development began at the quirky notions and ideas tale of 'Micromegas' by Voltaire. One thing that struck me as particularly interesting is his reference to 'the Gemini'. This brought about thoughts in understanding the commonly regarded astrological sign throughout humanity. Even in this fictional tale written in 1752, our human race had a common understanding of zodiac signs.
This jewellery piece includes the materials brass metal and Perspex and uses techniques such as cold rivets (pin riveting, hollow riveting), hand sawing, sanding, hammering and chain forming.
The specific colours used symbolize the four elements in the zodiac system:
Blue: Water
Pink: Fire
Transparent: Air
Orange: Earth


They form a very structural geometric shape representing the outside universe and the zodiac system, which exists both physically and spiritually in the force of the planet alignment and astrology.
Connecting these geometric elements are the loose chains. These symbolize us as humans on the Earth. Our behaviour and movement is fluid and controlled by the outside universe.

Significant Rings

CONCEPT: When a significant other moves away a great sadness is felt.
The primary issue i wanted to identify in this project is the effect of the people who surround us everyday and the joy they bring to our lives by emphasizing the underlying affiliation this idea has with the sense of touch.
Initially this concept is explored in my pair of rings through the large scale of the ring and its predominant placement on the hand itself. The concept of tactility evolves even further via the rings surface treatment in a more literal sense.
The two rings depict different sensations through touch. The wire is harsh and sharp while the thread is soft and smooth. This evokes different feelings to the wearer, heightening the concept of the significance of tactility and how it can capture a feeling or emotion; the sensation of the thread appeals to a more comfortable softness, while the silver, twisted wire is uncomfortable and harsh.
This idea of connection to emotion is also evoked through a spiritual way. As the rings are a pair, a psychological connection is made between the two wearers. They are reminded that a significant other longs for their touch.

TECHNIQUES: coiling, sawing, drilling, annealing, soldering, doming, oxidizing

MATERIALS: copper, silver and thread

Lady In White

From as early as the late 15th century, women have constructed beautiful and amazing lace. There were limited jobs available for women of that time, and going down the avenue of lace making was seen as one of the only means of an income.
As we take a glance at society in our current 21st century, it is evident that the role of women has grown. Women and their supporters have campaigned for the same rights as men and today they have finally accomplished themselves as having an equal standing to men.
Lace continues to be produced today and can be seen as a metaphor, telling the story of the journey of women’s role in society, from the late 15th century housewife expectation, to today’s modern woman.
My ‘re new lace’ project is a visual contradiction between the original wedding gown lace used as the basis for construction, to the contrasting surface application and object manipulation through self-designed pattern, into a modern blazer style jacket which symbolizes the modern career driven woman we are accustomed to today.
As a result, these opposing ideas of traditional and contemporary women’s garments tell the viewer of the drastic ideas and expectations women face today and how they have changed over time.

A Dreamtime Story

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Transcending into the story of the historical world of Australian flora fills one with fluid, comforting thoughts of home. From the whimsical tale of the falling leaves, to the movement of each dot as you spiral around the petals through each chapter.
From buds to flowers, we see a botanical world blossoming, marking a point in time and capturing such intricate tales of a land so far away.
The path of the leaves speaks nature's language of Australia's indigenous. One can step into this world and inhabit all its native flora, and consequently, tell their own dreamtime story...

I am proposing a range of eight contemporary fabrics for the winter 2010 women’s fashion collection of the Brisbane-based design label ‘Easton Pearson’ titled ‘A dreamtime story’.
Through following Pamela Easton and Lydia Pearson’s same ‘fluid and adaptive’ working practice, I present to you a range of eclectic designs inspired by the traditional art practices of our own indigenous Australians.
Each piece reflects Australia’s beautiful flora through the artistic key rituals of aboriginal culture and consequently tell their own dreamtime story.

Techniques in these fabric designs include Polysol dying and transferring onto fabric, beading, drawing and painting, hand sewing, machine sewing along with collage cutting and pasting of papers and fabrics.

Project: Ad Campaign for the "Sydney Italian Festival '09'

I wanted to raise awareness in the joys in wining and dining amongst friends and family. Particularly the way the simplest Mediterranean meal can enrich our lives.

When looking at the poster designs a very simple and clear message is delivered through the simple wine and coffee ring stains (both drinks are associated with Italian dining). This plays on the idea of simplicity and the beauty and fulfilment one can gain from it. A busy ornamented layout would have been unnecessary to capture my concept. The words ‘bellissimo’ are read clearly and precisely through the use of black font on the white background. The word choice was deliberate as it is a common word heard around the table in Italian families and it links nicely with Italian food and culture.

Playtime

Inspiration: The magic of summer on the Greek Islands. I looked to my own heritage for inspiration in this piece. My curiosity in the mystery of the old historical islands drew me to incorporate some of these striking elements into my design. The style and suitability of the lightweight fabric is relevant to the summer months as it cool and comfortable. The clear water surrounding the white clay houses on Santorini inspired my colour choice (blue with white polka dots).

Creativity: The surface decoration on my playsuit is polka-dotted ENTIRELY of hand-sewn buttons.
Innovation: My playsuit’s pattern has been combined with the halter top and tie coming from VOGUE V8079 (#D Size 6) and the mid panelling and shorts from VOGUE V7882 Size 8. The fabric choice will also challenge the conventional idea of matching lining, by contrasting the polka dot external layer to the gingham-check lining. The concept of turning of turning a classic 1950’s swimming costume design into a modern summer garment is also a new and innovative idea.

Fact or Fiction?

We live in a media driven world, whether we’re aware of it or not. The media influences our lives and whether we like it or not, our ideas and thoughts are constructed from media interpretation. As young design students, it is important for us to stay closely linked with the media and retain awareness in the current social and political world because it is our job to react to the current issues and ideas communicated to us. However our role is to also be mindful of the honesty in what is depicted to us and reinterpret them. The media is constantly stretching our trust and has us questioning; what is fiction and what is fact?
The font presented is called “fact or fiction” as it challenges the notion of what is real and what is fabricated in our media today. The font takes this term “fabrication” literally and is constructed with clustered nonsensical stitches, resulting in a visually deteriorating type design. This acts as a metaphor for the level of uncertainty when faced with ideas and notions brought about by the media. The viewer is forced to question whether the type character actually exists as it begins to crosses the line into abstraction.

My typography outcome lead me to integrate the font graphically in a form of media itself; Magazine.

I decided the magazine should be a textiles magazine titled 'STITCH'. Using Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign i created a cover, contents page, double spread and spine design to suit the concept of promoting a textile designer (Sian Power) in the form of a textile magazine (Stitch).