Clothing and Textiles
All work © Copyright Alessandra Kelley
These garments are part of "Second Sights: The Art of Presence", an ongoing collaborative project with my husband, Richard Garfinkle. "Second Sights" takes inspiration from the classical Greek gods to spur thought and open up our culture's single-minded idea of human beauty. These garments offer just a few of the ideas that can be expressed through clothing created to reveal and accentuate the beauty of the human form.
"Second Sights" blends panel painting, clothing design and construction, and photography. Each god addressed in the "Second Sights" project has inspired at least one painting and at least one outfit.
Photograph © Copyright Richard Garfinkle "Air, Fire, Water" (Aphrodite) Silk charmeuse satin, silk taffeta, linen, nylon spandex, mother of pearl buttons, machine and hand sewn with silk thread, painted with acrylic paints |
Aphrodite is the Greek god of human love and beauty. The Romans called her Venus. "Air, Fire, Water" is a dress in three parts. Two diagonal half-bodices and skirts, one of sky-blue linen and one of turquoise green silk charmeuse satin, button over each other like an "X". Worn over or under these is a flame-colored silk taffeta and purple nylon spandex corselet belt. The pieces may be worn in any order. |
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Photograph © Copyright Richard Garfinkle "Edgewise" (Artemis) Cotton jersey, silk charmeuse satin, cowhide leather, snap fasteners, hand and machine sewn with silk thread, painted with acrylic paints |
Artemis is the goddess of the hunt and wild places. She walks the boundaries, patron and special protector of animals, women, children, and the pregnant. The Romans called her Diana. "Edgewise" is a practical garment of comfortable cotton jersey. The left wrist is protected by a leather cuff painted with arrows and cypress. On the front of the shirt is the face of Aktaeon, best and most foolish of hunters in Greek mythology. Aktaeon trespassed on Artemis' sacred mountain, thinking he could treat her as prey. She transformed him into a deer and his own dogs ate him. A pack of Artemis' own ghostly hounds winds up the right sleeve and circles a full moon at her back. |
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Photograph © Copyright Richard Garfinkle "Spring and Autumn" (Persephone) Silk taffeta, silk crepe, silk charmeuse satin, silk habotai, silk satin ribbon, wool crepe, lambskin leather, enamelled buttons, machine and hand sewn with silk and polyester thread, painted with acrylic paints |
Persephone, called Proserpine by the Romans, was the goddess of spring. Married to Hades, lord of the underworld, she was also queen of the dead. Persephone's dual nature can bring a light touch or gravitas. "Spring and Autumn" consists of a dancing dress and frock coat. The coat, of heavy green wool and darkest green leather, painted with a lamb's skull and nasturtiums, symbolizes the drawing-in and concentration of winter and death. Pale green lambskin leather appliqués suggest teeth and vertebrae. |
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Photograph © Copyright Richard Garfinkle "Spring and Autumn" (Persephone) Silk taffeta, silk crêpe de chine, silk charmeuse satin, silk habotai, silk satin ribbon, machine and hand sewn with silk thread, painted with acrylic paints |
This is the "Spring and Autumn" (Persephone) dress worn without the frock coat over it. The dress is for dancing. It spins around the body, even when it is still. The dress is cut from lightweight silks to imitate the fluttering of new spring leaves. It is painted with nasturtiums and small blue butterflies, symbols of human souls. |
Photograph © Copyright Richard Garfinkle Persephone |
The photographer took some fine images, including this ghostly one of the artist wearing the Persephone ensemble. In Greek mythology, Hades was king of the underworld, and Persephone was his wife. According to Homer's Odyssey, the shades of the dead feared Persephone more than her husband. |
