A fresh look at the dark side of fast fashion
24 March 2021
After Blue Jean Sisters weaves insight into denim
In 2019, regional artist Belinda Smith created a work for an exhibition in Brisbane, A Fierce Hope, which addressed a number of social challenges and enterprise initiatives.
Her installation, Blue Jean Sisters focused on the exploitation of human labour and environmentally destructive practices of today’s fast fashion industry.
In creating her installation work, Belinda organised a series of sewing circle workshops across the region, including at Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre and the Gallery DownTown, resulting in 1650 denim dolls being made from upcycled jeans.
Belinda has re-visited this project in her latest exhibition, After Blue Jean Sisters, which continues on these themes. The exhibition is on display at Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre until Sunday 2 May 2021.
After Blue Jean Sisters is installed alongside a series of new denim-based works. These works use the by-products generated from making the upcycled dolls, from the macro down to the micro, including the stitching on the denim.
On Friday 16 April, 5.30–7pm, join Belinda in conversation with Linda Phillips, Curator and Designer of the Brisbane gallery, Adderton: house & heart of mercy - where A Fierce Hope was staged - and gain insights into Belinda’s exhibition After Blue Jean Sisters.
Places are limited and bookings are essential by visiting: http://bluejeansisterssunsetsession.eventbrite.com.au/
Belinda will host a free Blue Jean Sisters Stitching Session on the final day of the exhibition, Sunday 2 May from 12–4pm. Drop in and bring your spare threads and cherished fabric scraps for an afternoon of sewing and shared stories.
Participants can select a doll from Belinda’s installation and add embellishments. The decorated dolls will then be donated to Belinda’s nominated charity.
For information on current and upcoming exhibitions at Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre, visit artgallery.tweed.nsw.gov.au/
Downloads
Photo 1(JPG, 112KB)
Caption: Blue Jean Sisters installation view, Adderton: house & heart of mercy, 2019. Photo: Nat McComas
Photo 2(JPG, 96KB)
Caption: Blue Dolls Sewing Circle. Image courtesy the artist