Sustained Investigation #3

Artist's Statement:

Jillian Wight

Medsker

3D Design

26 May 2021

My artwork was guided by the concept of the human body, and how it interacts with fashion and vice versa. I am so intrigued by the way that fashion contributes to how we see ourselves, and how we are perceived by others. Some hide in their clothes, some hope that their clothes distract from themselves, others use clothing to highlight their personality or figure. I wanted to expand on this idea in my work. So far, I have created two pieces, both of which have been shirts. For this project, I really wanted to step out of my comfort zone, and create a pair of pants. While the process was certainly a challenge, I am so happy with the results! I drew both from a modern design perspective, and from the excessive, intricate qualities of Victorian-era fashion. I used cutouts, fabric, lines, and wire to manipulate the piece, and really engage the shape of the lower body.

I started by sketching out my plans for this piece. I did a progression of drawings, to plot out the complexity of my project and ensure that my goals were realistic and attainable. I then went to Goodwill, and gathered my materials, using an old curtain for the base fabric of the pants. I used a pair of my yoga pants as a pattern, and after cutting out pieces of the curtain I used a sewing machine to create the final shape. I then added numerous layers of fabric, which I attached with needle and thread, hot glue, and beads. I think these layers really added a lot of intrigue to the piece, and created subtle areas of contrast which drew attention to the shapes that the pants accented. Finally, I used my sewing machine to attach three hoops to each leg of the pants. I really love this aspect, because I think it is so unique and really helps to develop the design of the garment. I think this element helps establish a style and silhouette, while many of the other details I added, including cutouts, hem and waistlines, as well as seams, served to manipulate and bring attention to the organic forms of the human body.

Overall, a lot of experimentation went into my work. My original idea was much more complex, but after careful consideration, I decided to go a simpler route. I felt that the design of the simpler pants was more cohesive, and didn’t overwhelm the viewer. I also felt that I would be able to execute the pants with more attention to detail, creating a better final product in multiple respects. In addition, I experimented a lot with coloring. Originally, I had planned for the pants to be white. I think this was a very safe choice, However, I know that I would have struggled due to the lack of contrast that would have existed between details and layers of fabric. Instead, I chose to go a very different route, with a blood red base and fiery orange details. I think this color scheme really emphasizes a lot of the important aspects of the piece, and reveals the way that I played with space and form in the creation of my pants. It also makes the differences in fabric texture more palatable, and easier for the viewer to absorb. Because I have struggled with color schemes in the past, I am really proud of how these came out. It was, however, very difficult to get a good photo, since the mannequin I used did not stand up and was significantly smaller than me. When I wear the pants, the cutouts are much more emphasized, and frankly, look a lot cooler. I definitely want to experiment with more effective ways to photograph and showcase this piece. In general, I am so proud of this design. The execution was very, very experimental, and I learned a lot about how to bring an idea to life. Going forward, I know there are a few ways that I could refine my process, and I'm so excited to showcase this progress in my next work. This piece was far out of my comfort zone, and I am very happy with the results!

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