Honourable Roger Jaensch MP Runner Up Award $2000
Mahnken, Dior (AUS)
Love the Skin You’re In
ABOUT THE work
“The concept of this artwork came about with my daughter starting a science degree that was geared toward the skin aesthetics industry. As her aging mother I was concerned as to what this was all about and I started to explore the notion of what it was to be comfortable in my own skin.
As a young women I used to pour over Vogue magazines for the latest tips and tricks to remain youthful. While the circulation of magazines has decreased we are bombarded through social media about the way we should look with manipulated images, loosing realistic expectations.
The skin is the largest organ of the body and recently having had a significant injury have witnessed the miraculous way it can heal itself. I look at my scars and I think how beautiful because what they represent is strength and resilience, it’s about what’s on the inside that counts.
I use image transfer technique to transfer skincare editorials and advertising from old Vogue magazines onto tissue paper. I then cut the tissue paper to the size I want and scrunch it up then
spread it out again. I usually prepare copious amounts before I move to the next step which is printing the paper both sides using a printing press and oil-based ink.
For this project I have chosen to use transparent skin tones to try and capture the luminosity and transparency of skin especially when it is being peeled off. I roll the ink onto Perspex plates to print from. The paper becomes quite robust and almost fabric-like with the ink.
The pieces of paper get stitched together on the sewing machine in a loose brick-like pattern. Seams will open to the outside, their irregular edges adding pattern and texture to the garment.”
MATERIALS
Printed Tissue paper, sculpture wire, cotton thread, vilene, ribbon, organza.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Dior is a contemporary printmaker and mixed media artist located in southern Sydney.
“I make works of a contemporary nature using sculptural elements of paper, wire and stitching.
…My works predominantly feature printed tissue paper, which I cut and crush before placing
through the printing press to colour them with oil-based ink. I found I was able to create subtle
variations in colour and texture by printing from the same plate three times, releasing less and less ink each time. These printed pieces of tissue become almost fabric like and are surprisingly robust to work with. I print copious amounts of tissue in various sizes and colour and so, many beautiful lofty piles begin to emerge. These are then stitched together in various ways to bring movement and form.There is a long line of dressmakers in Dior’s family. At this point in her creative career, Dior feels she has ‘…come full circle back to my sewing roots, only with paper.”