as i mentioned on friday, i was part of the drawn from fashion exhibition organized by leeloo. the show consisted of artworks inspired by l’oreal melbourne fashion festival runway events from the last few years. i chose fool clothing because… well, just look at the amazing outfits! how could i not choose them! they were practically the only designer using any saturated color, and i really identified with their playfulness. also their shop is not too far from my ‘hood and i always love popping in and admiring their handiwork – broom handle knits, amazing colors, its all very inspiring.

the specific image i chose is the one pictured above on the right however i was inspired by fool clothing’s collections in general. the more i pondered fool clothing, the more i became inspired. the work i created is based on the ‘fool’ tarot card, pictured above, which is the 0 card of the major arcana. the cards of the major arcana tell the fool’s journey through the human experience. in the card the fool is unwittingly or uncaringly standing on the edge of a cliff or ‘void’ (0 also being representative of void, or nothingness) – taking a risk or a leap into the unknown. a white dog is reality ‘nipping’ at the fool’s heels. in the fool’s hand is a flower showing his love for beauty. i have always understood the fool to not be a buffoon but as a happy-go-lucky innocent. some people may consider fool clothing’s designs ‘risky’ but i think their designs are joyous and carefree. the oversize textures and elements are fun and reminiscent of kid crafted pom pom’s and the french knitting looms i played with as a child. the tarot card shows the fool carrying a bindle over his shoulder, showing he has everything he needs with him. in my design the fool carries a ball of yarn on a needle over her shoulder – everything she needs to construct fool clothing’s knitted designs. some heavy handed symbolism there, i know, but it was so much fun to create. maybe i’ll make up a whole deck of cards!

the print could not have been produced without the amazing printing of lantern printing: mmm 100% cotton rag art paper using quality archival inks (imagine i said that with a homer simpson-like drool).
if you’re interested in owning a copy of this print contact me.

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