I recently reconnected with the clothing rubbings I did in 2019. These drawings seek to reconnect us with second-hand clothing and express the energy contained therein. I developed a technique for creating rubbings of second-hand clothing using drafting film. I like this material for its strength and for its fine matt surface, which captures shapes and textures beautifully. Through trial and error, I settled on watercolor crayons for mark-making, as they are both supple and durable.
To create these drawings, I combed through hundreds of pounds of used clothing to find items that have been well loved but also have interesting details, like lace trim or square buttons. I then arranged the garments on a tabletop using a visual language both poetic and symbolic. Once satisfied with the arrangements, I covered the clothing with drafting film. To create the rubbings, I followed the contours of the clothing, seeking out textures, and adding additional details by hand. This process was developed to express my respect for second-hand clothing, which I think of as our second skin. In the coming months, I plan to explore new materials and try out new ideas. For example, I’d like to create portraits of friends by borrowing an outfit for a day. I’d like to create rubbings of the treads of people’s shoes. The list goes on.
I hope this work creates enough distance to enable the viewer to see the clothing from a new perspective, and perhaps even see themselves in the work.
These works were created during a pop-up open studio I did in Queens, with support from The Queens Council of the Arts.
