Una Burke - MA Fashion Artefact
FINALIST IN THE ACCESSORIES CATEGORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FASHION COMPETITION... "ITS #EIGHT".
WINNER OF THE "LCF OFF-CATWALK AWARD FOR BEST DESIGN COLLECTION".
Website: www.unaburke.com
This collection of emotionally charged fashion artefacts is based on the universal subject of human trauma. This issue is something that every individual can relate to on one level or another, either though personal experience or by association. Victims of such encounters often create subconscious emotional barriers as a means of protection against the re-occurrence of pain. These barriers have the potential to become a trapping device, resulting in an inability to function in certain situations.
The feelings and emotions associated with this topic have been interpreted into a visual language of physical gestures. With the body then removed from these leather structures, the shape of the contorted human form is retained and a moment or feeling remains apparent. A number of pieces are also reminiscent of medical braces used to heal broken bones and spinal injuries. This signifies the potential for healing within the boundaries of something which inhibits the body.
Carcass-like in form, each artefact is hand crafted from vegetable tanned leather, resulting in a colour indicative of human flesh. The pieces are produced to be viewed as contemplation artefacts observed in the environment of the gallery or they could be used in the context of a fashion accessory. When broken down into sections they can be combined with other garments and worn as structured accessories for the body.
This collection of restrictive and provocative inanimate objects has the capacity to arouse several emotions within the viewer. The interpretation of this work however, will always be subjective depending on the different outlook of each individual as a result of their own past experiences.
PUBLICATIONS INCLUDE:
VOGUE ITALIA (ITALY)
NUMERO (FRANCE)
RANDOM (UK)
ABOVE (UK)
EXMACHINA (SWITZERLAND)
PIMP (UK)
GIOIA (ITALY)
BLINK (MEXICO)
PIGEONS AND PEACOCKS (UK)
THE SUNDAY TRIBUNE (IRELAND)
THE GUARDIAN (UK)
EXHIBITIONS AND CATWALK SHOWS INCLUDE:
SANDPEOPLE (ZURICH, VIENNA, LONDON, NEW YORK)
FUTURE MAP '09 (UK)
GENERATION (IRELAND)
COLOGNE CATWALK @ ART.FAIR21 (GERMANY)
FUTURE MAKERS (IRELAND)
LCF@CARNABY (UK)
MA_STERS AT THE MALL GALLERIES (UK)
Model - Dreille at Premier Model Management.
Photography - Rebecca Parkes,
Hair and Make-up - Faye Hayward.
LEATHER SPONSORSHIP BY GRADE LEATHER. CONTACT: GRAHAM BIRD, 11 Avenue Gardens,Cliftonville,Margate Kent,UK CT9 3BD
Tel: 01843 224629 Fax: 01843 224601 Email: gradeleather@btconnect.com