Worn Out

With respect to the environment, WORN OUT is a collection of wearable art pieces that incorporates the R principles – redesign, repair or repurpose.

Although not all of our pieces were destined for landfill we are wanting to bring awareness to some of the principles of the circular economy or the R principles – Refuse, Rethink, Reuse, Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture, Repurpose, Recycle, Research, Re-skill, Redesign, Revision and Recover

LEANNE O’TOOLE’s career was in garment design and making. Wearables were her entry into the art world. Her first artist collaborations led to an interest in felting; then workshops at various forums have added metal work, fabric manipulation, printing, and dyeing techniques. Generally, all these new techniques and knowledge were still being applied to wearables until the 2020 lockdown reawakened the pleasure of “slow stitch” and working within themes. Most of her works now reflect the vulnerability of our planet and all that is on it, and she is exploring working with threads (hand and machine stitched), and beads as her mediums of choice, either creating or enhancing the images.

JULIE MILLER is a natural dyer from Talgarno, Victoria. After a corporate career, Julie returned to her birthplace in North East Victoria. She explored the arts until she found an art form that combined her passion for plants and textiles. Julie extracts dyes from plants and eco prints and dyes on fabric and paper. Her work includes clothing, household products, cards and framed prints. As well as using new natural fabric Julie redesigns, repairs and repurposes factory seconds, remnants and pre-loved clothing.

MEET THE ARTISTS: Saturday 3 May, 11am–1pm
at Gateway Gallery