UNDER A COVER OF DARKNESS

Following on from Moonlit my solo exhibition at MAKE Southwest in 2021, I found myself compelled to give the paper moths that had been held in suspended cocoons as part of an installation piece, ‘Like A Moth To The Moon’, the chance to fly!

This wearable piece is about emerging out into the world after the pandemic, but also about inner growth and empowerment (quiet transformation and release from our sometimes self-imposed 'cocoons').
When the coat is worn, the moths in the lining are hidden from all but the wearer. They cause mild discomfort as their papery wings rustle with the movement of the body reminding the wearer of what lies beneath the surface.
Should the wearer desire, the coat can be reversed to expose the hidden moths to the outer world.

Most of the work in this coat is hidden in the lining, but I wanted an external clue as to the story the garment is telling. There are politely anarchic 'stencilled' words hand-stitched on the reserve which quietly shout it's message too. These words were inspired by Anais Nin’s quote:

‘And the day came when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom’.

This piece is currently on display at MAKE Southwest as part of their members summer show until October 8th 2022.