Visible Markings: new knitting
- Publisher:
- Craft Victoria
- Publication Type:
- Exhibition
- Citation:
- Visible markings: new knitting
Closed Access
| Filename | Description | Size | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 2008003415OK.pdf | 910.66 kB |
Copyright Clearance Process
- Recently Added
- In Progress
- Closed Access
This item is closed access and not available.
Background Visible Markings: New Knitting is concerned with the interaction between traditional and contemporary knitting techniques, exploring the knitted form as a kind of âsecond skinâ. Knitting here functions as a vehicle for âdeconstructionâ, with familiar garment structures transformed into disarticulated âbody piecesâ. Challenging the perceptions of traditional garments and body shapes, the pieces deform and cocoon regions or portions of the human body, blurring the boundary between subject and object. Contribution This new body of work takes its inspiration from the traditional practice of body scarification, a tactile language inscribed onto the surface of the skin, often misunderstood due to popular Western misconceptions and negative connotations. Body scarring has been utilised here in conjunction with knitting as a form of symbolism exploring the concepts of gender, belonging and identity. In some cultures, scarring signifies a ârite of passageâ: sexual maturity, the journey from childhood to adulthood, or social acceptance. Other forms of scarification serve the purpose of tribal identification, spiritual protection, or aesthetic beautification. Visible Markings appropriates patterning techniques from the aesthetics of scarification to place knitting at the forefront of a politics of the body. Significance The significance of the work in Visible Markings demonstrates how designers can challenge tradition garment shapes for the body, and create pieces that have an extended âshelf lifeâ. The collection of work utilises Australian wool and explores and challenges juxtapositions of design principles. Surface details have been produced with hand and domestic machine knitting processes and challenge how the garments can be worn on the body.
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: