a mature growth

The project uses morality and communal and borderless bonding through our values, especially during the pandemic, as a focal point. It highlights and humorously points out the ever-retracting boundary of morals and what is considered “politically correct”, using the Rococo art period and 18th century references as an example of everything “excess” and “taboo”, including using chocolate as a reference, being “irresponsible” and “taboo” for women to eat unsupervised during that period. The idea of being forced to make do with what past generations have given us to deal with due to changing values and perhaps ignorance, greed and unforeseen consequences - climate change, waste, wealth gaps - is prevalent as well. It is also shown as an opportunity for beauty and opportunity through symbolism of old growth over new, creating intricate artworks and pieces through found objects and waste as a modern version of Rococo, and repair as an art form through Kintsugi references. The quirky reference common in this body of work is bubblegum: a symbol of sticking together as a community; being vocal about our values and being a force for change during this turbulent year. Another iteration of sticking together is imagery of bodies wrapped around each other and in proximity to each other, something that many of us long for during this lonely time. I used found objects to make 3D collages, as well as blown bubblegum to inspire the silhouettes and development of the look, paired with18th century garment and asymmetrical floral, architectural and sculptural references. The garments made in this project will be knit in London, with some pieces sewn and sculpted in Canada, and the majority of the garments will consist of a photosynthesis coating. These will be made in collaboration with Post Carbon Lab, who will coat the garments in safe bacteria over 1-2 months in giant petri dishes, so that they will be living and breathing, just like plants, giving off oxygen and sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The garments must then be cared for and kept alive, with indirect sunlight and misting in order to maintain their climate positive effect.