Final Project
For my final project, I chose to play with the concept of conflict in regards to identity. I established this concept by giving two halves to my project: the left which represents me as an individual (micro) and the right which represents society at large (macro).
The theme of fossil is portrayed by the ripped and torn edges of the alternate fabrics used in the collage process. Fossil is further explored with the dye used on the right half to present an aged feel, suggesting that an individual memory may be much more resilient to time than the ever-changing fluidity of society.
Metaphor is explored as each hand represents something: the left being individual identity and the right being society.
For the side representing my identity, I framed the silhouette of the hand with pieces of bags from stores and restaurants I frequent. I also used pieces of past homework assignments and time slips from my job. The silhouette on this side represents a sort of individual conflict depicted by the chaotic patterns of the stitching.
For the side representing society, I used pieces of news headlines and articles to show what living in 2019 is like through current events. The silhouette of this hand is much more orderly, with the stitching forming straight, vertical lines while being patterned after the order of the rainbow. I used watercolor to dye the newspaper to give an aged appearance.
The idea of conflict in forming an identity amidst society's standards is further established by the red stitching joining the two halves together.
Exercise 3 - Adhering & Securing
3.2 - Alternate Fabric
For my alternative fabric, I used a square of newspaper. In the top left adhering square, I glued down some googly eyes. For the top right, I couched over a rubberband and paperclip. In the bottom left, I used a running stitch through the two pieces of ribbon and back-stitched a section of newspaper. For the bottom right, it's a little difficult to see but I encased a rubberband in clear plastic wrap.
3.1 - Fabric
For the top left square, I glued various strips of paper and fabric as well as beads. In the top right, I couched a safety pin and piece of black cardboard, which looked like the letter "O" to me so I back-stitched a cursive "k" next to it to spell out "ok". In the bottom left, I used a cut out square from a paper takeout bag and back-stitched along some of the outlines. For the bottom right, I encased a key ring between the sample and another square of fabric.
Exercise 2 - Dyeing
2.3 Dyeing - stitch first then dye, alternative fabric
2.3 Dyeing - Stitch first then dye, fabric
2.2 Dyeing - single color with visual texture, 2 dyes, alternative fabric (newspaper)
2.2 Dyeing - Single color with visual texture, 2 dyes, fabric
2.1 Dyeing - Single solid color, alternative fabric
2.1 Dyeing - Single solid color with fabric
Exercise 1 - Sewing
1.5 Couching
1.4 Backstitch
1.3 Running Stitch - New Directions & Layering
1.2 Running Stitch - Mixing in the Needle
1.1 Running Stitch - Spacing Variations
