A unique exhibition of craft, fashion, and art featuring creations from prominent and emerging fashion designers and artists returns for the second straight year to the Queen’s Park Gallery this weekend.
The Wearable Art Exhibition is organised by the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) which is hoping that art and commerce can find common ground as patrons are being encouraged to come see and buy accessories, jewellery and clothing.
The exhibition, which merges visual arts, haute couture, and slow fashion, opens on Saturday at 7 p.m. with a Wear Your Art Party, which will be hosted by Oneka Small, the NCF cultural officer/curator for the gallery.
Small is encouraging attendees to “wear your fashion” for an evening of artistic celebration, anticipating a spectacular prelude to the kaleidoscope of fashion that is the annual Christmas morning festivities in the park.
The NCF wearable art exhibition gives designers a space to showcase their creations.
Emphasising a broader concept of art, Small said: “Art isn’t limited to something you hang on a wall. It is living, breathable. It is how we carry ourselves. We’re having this exhibition again at this time because it’s Christmas and people are dressing up, and we’re hoping to have opportunities for artists to sell their work. Queen’s Park is that place where artists can come and restock their inventory.”
A notable aspect of the showcase is the opportunity to acquire one-of-a-kind pieces and designer couture, offering distinctive holiday season attire or unique gifts for fashion enthusiasts, according to Small.
Small said: “Wearable Art is an exhibition people can come see – not everything is for sale – enjoy what’s displayed and be inspired to be more beautiful. We’re optimistic the artists will get some sales.”
There is wearable art for males as well.
Leading artist-designers Pauline Bellamy, Mark Daniel (Avark), Shakad Eco Lifestyle and Kim Butcher (Okoye by Kim) are joined by ceramicist-jewellers Gloria Chung and Julianna Iniss, fashion artist Margaret Herbert and several younger, lesser-known artists.
Given the dynamic nature of the Wearable Art Exhibition, exhibited pieces are expected to change as they are to be bought during the four-week show, according to the NCF.
The NCF arts officer also announced the Wear Your Art competition, where patrons have a chance to win prizes (vouchers) redeemable for items in the exhibition. She encouraged attendees to use the vouchers to support the creative industry and engage with the showcased artworks.
“The prize has to be redeemed at the gallery,” Small said. “We did this last year and the people came in and bought items. They were able to use the voucher as we would like people to, to shop and buy into local creativity, which is nice.”
During the exhibition’s opening, images from last year’s Wear Your Art competition participants will be displayed in the gallery, allowing attendees to view the diverse and fashionable attire worn by participants across different age groups.
The exhibition runs until January 6. (PR/BT)
The wearable art exhibition was well received last year.
