Materiality: Art • Fashion • Craft

May 1 – June 9, 2023

Cocktails & Couture Fundraiser: May 6, 2023, 6-9 pm (Pre-Register Here).

Materiality: Art • Fashion • Craft showcases the work of emerging designers as well as those who have had long and evolving careers in art, fashion, and craft. The physical, cultural, and virtual worlds overlap and sometimes collide in the creation of pieces in this exhibition. Energy and emotion work together to evoke “garments” that incorporate, unusual materials. Some are wearable-walking pieces of art; some are un-wearable, static pieces of art. The diverse media these makers utilize and explore brings awareness to the beauty, vision, personal understanding, sensitivity, and inclusiveness in the wide realm of fashion. The works focus on the impact of fashion as art or simply materialism in culture and society.

Traditional couture construction techniques are incorporated along with machine and hand knitting, natural dyeing, and hand painting or screening, up-cycling of materials allowing for various methods of fabric manipulation, digital printing, illustration, ceramics, industrial materials, and artificial intelligence (AI).

The term commonly used for fashion that is created with materials from this long list is often “Wearable Art.” Many of the works, however, are un-wearable, larger than life; while others are accessories or artifacts that inform or challenge the imagination. The exhibition dares the viewer to see fashion with fresh eyes.

– Roberta H. Gruber, Curator

Exhibiting Artists:

Frank Agostino, Maria Eife, Cheryl Ellyzsmith of Loyalty Leather, Nicole Feller Johnson, Amanda Forastieri, Nicole Haddad of LOBO MAU, Charlie Kenney, AutumnLin Kietponglert, Kronkron Shoes, Chunghie Lee, Rareform Bags, Bela Shehu of NINObrand, Nancy Volpe-Beringer, Gregory Weir Quiton, Renee Weiss Chase