Marijke Bouwmans

Wearable Art

In the early 2000s, I embarked on a transformative artistic journey, transcending conventional boundaries and creating avant-garde wearable art. I made The Tinker Bell Dress, for a women's center fundraiser in Fresno, California, using hundreds of plastic zip-ties in vibrant colors and various sizes, I turned Tinker Bell from a one-dimensional fairy into a multidimensional being, symbolizing strength and vulnerability simultaneously.

The Jackson Pollock Dress emerged from the Tinker Bell Dress, as its dynamic zip ties evoked the splatters and drips reminiscent of Pollock's iconic paintings. The fusion of art and fashion found its stage at the Trash Chique Fashion Show, becoming a captivating centerpiece.

The M.C. Escher Dress, born from the Fresno Art Museum's challenge to integrate historical art references, delves into the chaos underlying order. Bouwmans ingeniously wove hundreds of Möbius strips cut from brown paper bags into a chaotic yet ordered ensemble, mirroring Escher's exploration of non-linear time and false perspective.

The Mother Dress, inspired by Claes Oldenburg, transformed a moth-eaten blanket knitted by my mother into a colossal, chunky thread. Symbolizing the desire for secure attachment, the dress and oversized wig, worn at a fundraiser, embodied Oldenburg's theme of playing with size.

Critiquing Maxfield Parrish's portrayal of women in precarious settings, I designed the Rock On Girl Dress and Hat. Crafted from recycled white t-shirts, the dress defied Parrish's stereotypical depiction, offering a practical and robust alternative. The Rock Hat, made from papier-mâché recycled wallpaper, symbolized the strength of young women, challenging stereotypes with its empowering message: "Rock On Girl." Through the making of wearable art, I continue to push boundaries, transforming materials and perceptions alike.