'Surfacing' Art Journal

Instead of the playful visual stuff I intended to do without an ‘agenda’ I’ve  turned my attention to the dissatisfaction I feel about current aspects of my work.  In particular the despoiled wedding dress still lying  in the garden.  Other discarded pieces, however, have renewed my interest.  In the past I’ve been ruthless in disposing of  work, objects I’ve collected for projects i.e. fifteen pairs of red high heeled shoes, images, indeed most things (apart from the sketchbooks.)   Last year I  donated my mother’s black jacket in error to a charity shop.  An impulsive action that saw several black coats being turfed out.  On the lapel on this particular jacket was a single white strand of her hair that I had managed to retain for three years after she had died.  Now I practise caution.  The reject piece I’ve found is loosely constructed and machine stitched in places.  Maybe part of a bodice?  A maquette for something that was never made?  The samples have a feeling of neglect, disrepair.  Qualities which I think are lacking in the original wedding dress.  Reclaimed or re-constructed?

Lesley Bricknell (2009) Reject samples, fabric, stitching, threads, fragments