Artist in Residence Sarah Hendy is exhibiting her Wearable Art in her end of residency exhibition at the Sayle Gallery in Douglas, from Friday 1 to Sunday 24 March 2013.
'Mirabilis' is a collection of dresses exploring the bitter sweet journey of inevitable change, and - with a focus on using sustainably-sourced materials - Sarah's work shows an awareness of the value of everything from precious metals to the more mundane. The exhibition also includes photographs and a film showing one of Sarah's dissolving dresses, which has to be seen to be believed.
Sarah uses a variety of both natural and industrial materials – feathers, plant life, handmade sequins, fibre optics, even cling film – in her work, and 'Mirabilis' shows how these materials can be transformed into one-off pieces which mesh them together to result in some truly remarkable items.
“My year as Artist in Residence at the Sayle Gallery has been amazing,” says Sarah. “I started in April 2012 with the intention of extending my use of textiles and other materials, and through the year I've bounced ideas off other artists, interacting with them to push myself and my practice into new realms. 'Mirabilis' describes the veil between our reality and other worlds and my dresses are both tangible and ethereal”.
“The visual inspiration for my dresses is organic forms in nature, and the aesthetic is quite art nouveau,” Sarah continues. “But I haven't stopped there. I have extended this 'lightness' into use of eco-friendly, responsibly sourced, sequins made by hand from recycled aluminium cans which are not just light in weight, but also reflect light to make the dresses appear even more other-worldly.”
Although the concept of Wearable Art – items nearer to costume than fashion, which step outside the constraints of mainstream clothing - is fairly new here, it is a recognised art discipline in New Zealand, where an annual competition 'The World of Wearable Art' attracts entries from around the globe. Sarah is planning to enter work in this, but meanwhile, closer to home, is taking part in the bi-annual Manx Wearable Art Show – now in its fifth year – later in March.
'Mirabilis' is sponsored by the Isle of Man Arts Council
Location: The Sayle Gallery, Villa Marina Arcade, 1-3 Harris Promenade, Douglas, IM1 2HN
Opening times: 10am – 5pm Tue – Sat, 1.30 – 4.30pm Sundays, 1pm – 5pm Mondays
Admission: FREE
Telephone: 01624 674557
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