AS Level - Decay
For this project, I intended to look at the theme of surface decay. To help me decide this, I researched and analysed a number of artists, initially to explore their techniques. I then decided to look at the work of Violise Lunn and techniques such as ruffling, distressing, and the use of paper pulp. To help me explore this work and theme I gathered research using observational drawing, my own photographs, and images from the internet. To help inspire me I looked at artists’ work in more detail to influence my techniques, materials, and processes. From this, I was able to produce design ideas and experiments, which allowed me to develop a final piece which would have been a corset top and bustle skirt influenced by my research. Sadly I was not able to finish this project and present a final piece due to covid 19.
decaying pomegranate - primary research
bark - primary research
bark - primary research
bark pen drawing
bark fabric drawing
pomegranate pencil drawing
initial designs
initial designs
initial designs with small scale samples
embroidered and distressed silk
paper pulp
refined designs
ruffled silk coloured with red dye
refined designs
embroidered and distressed bonded fabric
final design
final design
large scale sample ruffled skirt
large scale sample ruffled skirt back
bustle skirt back
large scale sample bodice
large scale sample bodice close up
bodice close up
alternative bodice
Evaluation of the Project
In this project, I chose to use distressing, gathering, and the use of paper pulp to convey the theme of decay. I was inspired by bustles from the late 19th century, and the work of Violisse Lunn. For the development of my final design, I first looked at the different shapes and lengths of bustles, both modern costume and old fashions, and decided on the styles from the 19th century. I next looked at the neckline and shapes of the paper pulp for the bodice. I ended up choosing to make the paper pulp resemble the bones in the body such as ribs and the spine which would go over a distressed top, made out of bonded black and red fabric with a layer of black lace, and decorated with ruffled silk which is painted with Brusho, with a sweetheart neckline. This would symbolise a decaying body with the entrails hanging out. Overall I am happy with the research and design for its project. To improve I would add more detail to my designs and make the colours stronger and more intense. From this project, I have learnt ways of experimenting and figuring things out on my own, such as how to make different shapes and patterns. I found some difficulties with some of my materials as they were hard to sew and cut out due to the texture and weight. I overcame this by cutting out the layers of fabric in fewer layers and changed my needle to a bigger one and sewed more slowly as to not make any mistakes.