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Wearable art in times of mass-produced clothing

The new exhibit opens at Cove Commons this week

Wearable art is as old as getting dressed itself. Clothing the body has always been about communicating belonging, individuality, and beauty through the skillful manipulation of materials worn or carried on the body.

Although contemporary textiles are made with mindboggling technological advancements and highly computerized methods, the basic techniques have not changed over the past few thousand years: we are weaving, knotting, felting/fusing and layering fibers and other materials to satisfy our need of protection from the elements, communicate status, place, community and represent through beauty our level of skill in technological knowhow.

Over the last few years wearable art has increasingly become a social commentary on and expression of the desire to reconnect, even more reconsider our ways of how we consume garments. 

The Bowen Island Arts Council, in conjunction with our guest curator Ines Ortner, is pleased to present our second wearable art show on Bowen, this year featured at the new Gallery @ Cove Commons. Once again we are featuring an incredibly talented group of artists who dedicate their work to offer beauty, techniques and point of views about a wide array of issues to the community. We are excited to introduce to you the following participating artists in the 2018 Wearable Art Show in the Gallery @ Cove Commons: Kathleen Ainscough, Jenny Anstey, Lois Belluk, Jani Carroll, Muriel Curtis, Becky Dawson, Mary Downe, Vikki Michele Freckelton, Judi Gedye, Sarah Haxby, Tracey Lee Hearst, Caroline Hurd, Kami Kanetsuka, Emilie Kaplun, Emily van Lidth de Jeude, Paula Love (Alucema), Carolyn (Hadfield) McDonald, Gerold Mueller, Laura Rahn, Claudia Schaefer, Connie Wright, Delilah Bell and Paige Tweten.

The exhibit is running from June 7-July 8, with an artists reception on Saturday, June 9, from 7-9 p.m. We would like to encourage you to wear a piece of Wearable Art for the reception. It is a wonderful way of meeting new people.

On July 2 we are holding an exciting special event. First we will offer a Curator’s tour from 12-12:30 p.m., followed by a film and talk with Kami Kanetsuka. From 1-2:30 p.m. Kanetsuka will present the film Advanced Style and talk about her experience and involvement in a workshop given by Debra Rapoport, one of the ageless fashionistas portrayed in the film. Admission for these events is by donation.

The Gallery is open every day except Tuesday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. BIAC thanks the Knick Knack Nook for its support of this program and its commitment to a more sustainable Bowen Island.