CV
Project One
Project Two
Project Three
Project Four
Project Five
Project Six
Project Seven
Project Eight
Artistic pursuits
Contact.
Life Map
This project is an outcome from the third year of my Bachelor of sustainable innovation (Fashion and Textiles) at RMIT in Melbourne. It was built in response to the social and sustainable issue of the Western approach to death and dying. Through the development of the project I designed a sustainable textiles based practice which is descibed below. Central to this project is the desire to open up the taboo around death and alleviate the fear we as a society have around it. This project also seeks to recognise our place in nature as the purpose of death as a return to this system that created us rather than as an end. Through research I sought to understand how our approach has evolved over time and what emerging and existing alternatives are out there. I was inspired by several companies, advocates and practictioner, including Pia interlandi whose work crosses fashion, textile art, funeral ritual and death‑care practices. I looked to other cultures and religions and discovered the existing ancient wisdom around death care, much of which involved textiles as a tool. One key example is the First Nations people of Australia whose tradition of Possum skin cloaks is reflected in the proposed practice. Another central aspects of this project include the desire to encourage and foster community and integenerational connectivity as a recognition of the value of this in the livelihood of every human being.
The practice.
The practice at the core of this project is a blanket/shroud/tapestry created by the individual that intends to wear it in their end of life phase as well as their community. The blanket acts as a life map through which the individual can embody their life in all its glory, the good and the bad. The practice is intended to empower the individual, encourage a connection to community and nature and an understanding of our place in it.
The Toolkit.
This toolkit was create as a way to facilitate the practice for individuals seeking to participate in it. The practice and toolkit are both aimed at Aged care facilities and retirement villages in response to the isolation and loss of identity that residence often feel in these spaces. Due to the target audience being an older demographic this toolkit is set up for ease of use. However, this toolkit is not restricted to the older demographic and is intended to expand beyong the spaces it has been targeted at with the hopes of it becoming a society wide practice. The toolkit includes; four different materials - all natural fibres (sustainably sourced), sewing tools, straw and other things available to attach to ones blanket, a postcard with a message from the creator of the toolkit and a brochure providing the why, the how and other information.
The Blanket.
The blanket is intended to be created using only natural, sustainably sourced materials as to ensure that it can be part of the wearers journey in regenerating new life once they return to the soil.
Project development.
These are some sketches from the ideation phase of this project.
Contact me to find out more about this project.