I continue to talk about upcycling — the second life of old things. In comments to another article, many readers supported me, writing that jeans are one of the favorite materials for alteration. Inspired by the approval, I want to tell you that old jeans can be skillfully reincarnated not only in everyday items, but also in works of art by capable people.
British artist Ian Berry was the first person to receive recognition as an artist who creates pictures from old jeans. Under the pseudonym Denimu, he creates stunning pictures of different shades of blue from ink to blue from the scraps of denim. Moreover, in the work are not only areas of denim, but also different denim seams.
Love for denim clothing grew in the artist at a young age. One day he saw his parents collecting clothes to give to charity, and was fascinated by the variety of colors and shades of denim, which were sewn shorts, skirts, jackets and shirts lying in that pile.
Probably, then he had the idea to turn his favorite clothes, which you can`t trow away, into works of art that will again please people, but in the form of unusual paintings. Ian's paintings look so realistic, and it is not even immediately clear that they are made of denim. And thus, they do not remind of usual pachwork or application. His works are much closer to the modern art of graffiti than traditional painting.
Pictures by Berry have philosophical message. They combine the present and the past, old things find new life. When denim pants are no longer able to perform their basic function due to their dilapidation, the artist helps them to become a part of the art object.
Ian usually buys denim fabric in rolls for use as the basis of the picture - the canvas. And the top layer - the picture itself - is always old jeans! Rather, any denim products. Such things he buys in vintage stores, second-hand stores, charity shops or receives as a gift. Berry often uses his own jeans in the paintings, which fade over time, finding extra texture.
Cut out fragments of denim of desired shade, he attaches to the base with a special adhesive tape. If a piece is glued, it is already glued tightly. Ian has tried a lot of ways of adhesive fastening, and ordinary glue was the worst material. Then he came up with the idea to glue the pieces of jeans on double-sided tape. And that's what he does.
His denim paintings have already gained popularity and are in private galleries in different countries.
And the artist from Russia — Alexandra Cher has just begun working in this art form. Being Berry follower, she went her own way. From scraps of denim Alexandra makes portraits mostly of girls, women, and it takes her two weeks, or even two months to make a picture. Unlike Berry, she does not use stitches, because they are too rough for her paintings. Besides, she glues on a transparent glue.
Making portraits, she does not copy, after studying the person she draws a picture, imagining bright parts. Then there is a stage of choosing shades of jeans for each section of the picture, and she begins cutting the material and assembling the picture. Some more of her works.
Aleksandra is just at the beginning of her career, but she has already held the first exhibition and found the first fans.
Ukrainian artist Lilia Chawaga is also engaged in the creation of denim paintings, she calls them collages.
As well as Aleksandra, she prefers to create portraits of people. "To create portraits, we chose denim - a cult material that has not lost its relevance for 163 years," the artist said.
I hope this article will help you to look at such an utilitarian and familiar material as jeans, in a new way and before you refer to the dump or to the nearest shelter your things, take a closer look at them: maybe you will also find your vocation in some faded blouse or skirt?