Are you a design artist, fashion innovator, culture initiators or wearable inventor? Then this is a call out to you.
This year marks the 20th year of Shearwater’s Wearable Arts extravaganza known to students and teachers as WAVE.
The culture is embedded in the “very bones” of the students,’ said WAVE director Joshua Rushton.
‘There is a collective wisdom passed on from year to year, becoming richer and deeper – it’s an incredible thing to witness.’
Whether you are an emerging artist, a student, an industry professional or a Wearable Arts savant, it’s time to unleash your creative design skills and begin to imagine your costume entry for WAVE 2020, ‘Dragon Days’.
Dragon Days began its incarnation in December and evolved during strange and difficult times. But, according to Josh Rushton, the students were on board for the ride.
‘It was a real pleasure to work with these students and see the way they embodied the creative process of WAVE,’ said Josh. ‘Adaptation was key and everyone’s input was valued and contributed to the shaping of the whole.’
Kitting out this year’s characters – the Phoenix and the Dragon, began mid-February, with textiles students, staff and volunteers all drawing, cutting, painting, sewing and styling leather, feathers, scales and claws.
Photography and Multimedia students organised and shot the campaign in early March.
‘As always, the shoot was a fabulous, collaborative, student-led process and a lot of fun,’ said Josh.
There are five exciting design sections to be inspired by, garments can be sewn, riveted, welded, glued, painted, collaged, knitted, woven, built and assembled from metal, leather, rubber, natural fibres, industrial waste and recycled objects.
Dragon Days is scheduled to be performed from November 4 to 7. What the show looks like this year will depend on what restrictions are in place.
‘While it might be different, you can be sure it will be incredible,’ said Josh.
All the information needed to enter a garment in this year’s Wearable Arts can be found on the WAVE website or by calling the Shearwater Office on 6684 3223.
