About Customography
I’ve always loved clothes – and the process of designing and making them.
Upcycling has developed in response to the question: what is the role of the artist in modern western society? – a society which turns the natural world into materials and waste, and uses ‘beauty’ to describe mass-produced images from machines.
The answer: to develop a reverse transmutation, envisioning the potential of existing materials, making artistic garments from second-hand clothing and rescued leftover materials re-cut.
I work on garments, inspired by organic shapes found in nature, animating pre-loved and discarded textiles, and transforming them from a two-dimensional flat surface into a three-dimensional object.
I also use a 3D printing pen with filament from recycled waste plastic bottles, making accompanying jewellery and accessory pieces.
Upcycling is more than just using old and raw material. It is about upgrading used material and making it more desirable than it was at the start.
2021
Upcycled costume design for film/performance; Wondering: In-between and beyond. Commissioned by Event Scotland for the Year of Coasts and Waters 2021 for Orkney International Science Festival.
Upcycling Workshops live August : Upcycling plastic to make beautiful objects. Free Classes For Over 50s for Forres Wellbeing.
Upcycling mentor for jewellery-making out of plastic waste online via Zoom and Google Meet for Afghanistan female refugees in Jakarta, Indonesia – Jakarta Bersatu Project.
2020
Upcycled costume design for film/performance The Selkie’s New Clothes: (https://fashionthefuturenow.org/2020/10/27/the-selkies-new-clothes/) Commissioned by Event Scotland for the Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 for Orkney International science Festival.
Online WORKSHOP: MAKE A SELKIE’S GHOST NET BRACELET (https://youtu.be/p1-4ldC-2vs) – Learn how to make a selkie’s ghost net bracelet from washed-ashore pieces of fishing nets, amongst other examples of finding creative uses for reclaimed coastal waste. Commissioned by Event Scotland for the Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 for Orkney International science Festival.
Online upcycling classes: In 2019 Going Nova was awarded funding from Moray LEADER programme for a new upcycling project that delivered workshops to various community groups across Moray. With the lockdowns the workshops on ground moved to online delivery. Classes explored the transformative nature of everyday man-made materials from plastic to textiles and delivering the skills and techniques in reimagining waste into wearables and jewellery pieces. Online Upcycling classes are available on the project YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/FashiontheFuture. With 377 subscribers and over 9000 views for the most popular online upcycling class Discarded Plastic into Necklace Transformation, the classes present a vision of what can be achieved with creative solutions for waste and an inspiration to try it yourself.
Online film The Land and the Sea costumes: The transformation processes behind upcycling costume making
Exhibit: The Land and the Sea, costumes inspired by the nature of the sea and the nature of the land: Upcycled costume designs in window display at Moray Reach Out in Buckie
2019
Project Creative Opportunities from Waste funded by Moray LEADER programme delivering workshops to various community groups across Moray starting in September 2019 until March 2020
Workshops in the Phoenix Centre, Buckie
Workshop Moray Reach Out open day for public, Buckie
Workshops Moray Reach Out workshops with trainees
Workshop Moray Art Centre for Moray Wellbeing Hub
Upcycling costume design creation: The Land and the Sea costumes inspired by the nature of the sea and the nature of the land. Costumes were developed as part of the project Creative Opportunities from Waste, funded by Moray LEADER.
Upcycling jewellery class for selected Drumduan School pupils in Forres Forres
Wellbeing classes in Transition Town Forres : Up-cycle Your Wardrobe: Free Class For Over 50s. During April, 14 hours of workshops and in May, 16 hours of workshops all together.
Upcycling workshop with a team of young people from Stromness Community Centre to assist with a workshop for OISF Family Day.
Upcycling workshop From pre-loved T-shirts into newly-loved Bracelets: Family Day at the Orkney International Science Festival in collaboration with a team of young people from Stromness Community Centre
2018
Upcycling Workshops for the Year of Young People: Family Day for Orkney Science Festival in collaboration with team of young people from Stromness Community Centre.
Selkie’s New Clothes : Upcycled costume designs for the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design. On display as a public window installation during Orkney Science Festival, comprising male and female selkies.
2016
The Feedback installation piece supported by the Creative Place programme through Findhorn Bay Arts. Feedback entwined two pieces; a sheep and a shepherdess, both made of recycled material and it was first time on display during the Findhorn Bay Festival 2016.
Fashion the Future! a package of events developed to show the creative potential of upcycling for the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design. Events varied from the exhibition of upcycling costumes to workshops and meeting the mannequin modelling upcycling clothing and accessories during the Orkney Science Festival week-long programme.
GO TO THE UPCYCLING PROJECTS WEBSITE.
