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Urban Armour: Corset Designed To Protect Emotional Sensitivity


Collection: Gray's School of Art Collection; Gray's School of Art Design Collection
Object Type: Fashion: Womenswear
Artist/Maker: McHardy, Jennifer
Date: 2005
Media/Materials: wire and cloth mesh
Dimensions: overall: 51 cm x 76.5 cm
Awards: RGU Textiles and Surface Design Purchase Award

Description:

Corset.

Artist's Statement:

"I chose to investigate danger and protection. I researched protective clothing worn by people who work in dangerous occupations, such as fire fighters and police. I also looked at historical armour worn throughout the centuries. As a contrast to danger and protection I researched fragility, looking at the complex emotional side of protection.

I worked in machine knit along with traditional and digital print combining these elements together to produce garments which look visually intimidating/threatening and which convey a strong sense of danger, in order to protect/conceal inner weakness."


Artist’s statement:

"I chose to investigate danger, protection and fragility.
I researched protective clothing worn by people who work in dangerous occupations, such as fire fighters and police.
I am interested in the combination of fabric and materials used together to protect the body and the fastenings used within these. I also looked at historical armour worn throughout the centuries.

As a complete contrast to danger and protection I researched fragility, I looked at the complex emotional side of protection, researching the written and spoken sayings and meanings associated with the human body. These included manipulation, aggression and weakness in human nature.

Developing and combining textiles that convey a sense of protection for the body from both physical and emotional harm, I worked in machine knit along with traditional and digital print combining these elements together to produce garments which look visually intimidating/threatening and which convey a strong sense of danger, in order to protect/conceal inner weakness.
A protective distance remains between the wearer and the spectator."
Object Number: ABDRG10740