Vancouver Fashion

Vancouver's online fashion culture magazine

The Sweatshirt Show

June 14th, 2009 | Published in Blog

Words by Scott McKeown. Photos by Maria.

Ruwan Transforming a banal grey sweatshirt into an individual and unique work of art is a true testimony to an artist’s creative abilities. Put on by Once Loved Threads and The Frock Swap’s Marjolyn Ustaris at Box Studios, The Sweatshirt Show united friends, family and spectators who came to see various artists’ interpretations of the same grey sweatshirt. Artists went in varying directions: from screen printed sweaters, painting with acrylics, to creating abstract pieces and even constructing furniture. One piece that garnished much attention was an exquisite painting of an octopus that was put up for auction. The artist used a triadic colour scheme to achieve a visually vibrant and impacting image that was held up by a long bamboo rod. An artist who is an interior designer by day transformed her grey sweater into two pieces of French inspired art. By cutting up and sewing pieces of the sweater together the artist inked her piece with fine tuned images. The set was very impressive, suitable to display in any chic modern home. Some artists also shared concept ideas with the audience in attendance. The sweater that donned a green chicken with an atom-like head had a quirky story to go along with the piece making it that much more interesting. It was impressive to see the range of work created and see what could be created out of a simple insignificant sweater. Hopefully Box Studios will continue to challenge the minds and talent of Vancouver’s bright artists.