Unit X Evaluation

This project was really personal for me. It explores the light and shade of mental health struggles, particularly anxiety. My intentions were to create a positive and playful collection that was to serve as an outlet to my emotions. I feel that I have fully fulfilled this.

Initial inspirations came from everyday dispositions, my surroundings and feelings, as well as chaotic art works from the likes of Heather Chontos, Kinda Khalidy and Emily Rickard. This all primarily influenced my colour decisions and drawing style. Whilst research into the Anxiety Artists Festival 2014 (‘The programme of visual art, film, communities and on-stage explored anxiety as a modern condition’), provided more conceptual thinking  and a theoretical approach.

My journey started in weave, where I wove typically to my previous style- inserting knots of yarns and inlaying blocks of colour. This was working for me, and I was happy with the samples, however they didn’t have the chaotic feel I wanted and I struggled to achieve a similar style to my drawings. After experimenting in previous projects with digital print, this now seemed the best option for me to try. Digital print enabled me to directly transfer my drawings onto fabric. The embroidery tufting machine also enabled me to create the texture I initially sought and substantially showed my journey from weave to print.

Throughout this process, my sketchbook was one of my most successful aspects and shows my journey as I kept up to date with contextualising my prints onto fashion frames. Colour changes are also referenced as I started to process my colour palette into something more contemporary and less extravagant. A textural interaction was important throughout, as I decided to embellish with beads and sequins. Scale was also imperative for context of my designs, which I have shown through four A1 digitally printed samples, whilst a sample of designs are shown on paper prints.

Contextualising this collection was my favourite aspect. I enjoyed shooting my own models in my chosen garments which was something totally new for me during my time at University. With having a slight background in photography, I was able to shoot eleven looks that I was satisfied with, and transferred a selection of my smaller A3 embellished samples onto these. As an alternative contextualisation, I also visualised a selection of my samples onto small interior cushions. These worked well and show diversity within the context of my designs.

As a collection overall, I’m happy with the way that my samples have turned out, and a lot of effort has been put into each one, particularly with embellishment. However, I feel that if I’d have had more time I’d have liked to embellish a selection of larger samples. For my degree show, I plan on having a large scale sample (A1) mounted on a stretched canvas, so this is something to think about over the next two weeks.

I believe my portfolio shows diversity in context and media. Having weave as well as digital print shows industry different skills. In terms of post graduation, my plan is to set up my own website for promotion and look into working freelance. I’d also like to gain experience by interning and learning more about the industry.