Everyday items turned into Wearable Arts garments

Have you ever looked at old shopping bags, x-ray prints or a bunch of plastic drinking straws and thought about turning it into wearable art?

That’s exactly what the artists behind this year’s Wearable Art Mandurah garments were thinking when they came across old materials and discarded objects, turning mundane, everyday items into works of art.

More than 50 handcrafted finalist garments – which will be on show at the Wearable Art Mandurah Showcase events on November 6 and 7 – have been created over the course of the year-long competition program.

As well as traditional fabrics, a huge variety of materials have been used to create the pieces including designer handbags, disposable rubber gloves, plastic straws, shopping bags, dolls, pool noodles, deconstructed rope, copper wire, x-rays, old homework and exam papers.

First-time Wearable Art Mandurah entrant Renate Jamieson has created two impressive garments for this year’s competition from re-used materials, most of which she found by the side of the road.

Renate's piece ‘The Colourful Apocalypse’ (in the Avant Garde category) depicts the hobby of crafting as a coping mechanism during the pandemic.

The vibrant work is crafted from free-form crocheted 'megascrumbles’ of gifted, thrifted and stashed yarns.

The robe is scaffolded with discarded pool noodles and the headpiece is made of foam and plastic cutlery attached to a carnival mask.

The North Dandalup resident said during the pandemic, many people took to gardening, crafts and cooking as a distraction to what was going on in the world around them, and that the piece was a visual reminder of that time.

More than 2500 plastic straws were used to create her second finalist piece, ‘Bodies of Water’ (Migration category).

The work was inspired by viewing aerial photographs of global waterways.

“It invites contemplation regarding the fragility of life and dependence on water for survival,” Renate said.

“It illustrates pathways for migration from snow-capped mountains down to vast oceans, emphasising how all waterways are intricately linked.”

The garment also includes faux foliage, tulle and old wrapping paper with the headpiece crafted from a wire fruit bowl, Christmas decorations, yarn and beads.

Alongside other featured artists, Renate will be giving an artist talk about her work on Saturday, November 6 at David Grays Arena.

See all these incredible garments and more at the Wearable Art Mandurah Showcase events at David Grays Arena (November 6 and 7) as part of the 2021 Mandurah Arts Festival.

The Showcase dates are:

•  Saturday, November 6 at 7.30pm - Awards Night
•  Sunday, November 7 at 1.30pm - Relaxed Performance
•  Sunday, November 7 at 7.30pm - Closing Performance

Category award winners will be announced during Saturday’s performance including Paper, Black and White, Migration, Avant Garde, Tertiary and Youth, as well as special prizes such as Artist of the Year and Creative Reuse.

Tickets are now available for the Showcase events.

To purchase tickets and for more information about the competition and workshops go to www.wearableartmandurah.com