It began in Africa

This blog will track the development of my graduate collection project  for the final year of my degree in Fine Arts - Fashion at QUT, Brisbane QLD. 

Like our ancestors, my initial inspiration for my final year collection came from Africa. Going 'tribal' with geometric brights and animals prints was not my angle, but rather something a little more obscure: Voodoo. 

To many, the word ‘Voodoo’ may conjure up images of sticking pins into dolls or casting evil curses on your enemies using black magic and sorcery. However, this is not a true representation of what Voodoo is about.

Voodoo, meaning ‘spirit’ developed from what is considered to be the world’s most ancient, ancestral, nature honouring traditions coming from Africa. The belief is in a single divine creator and a cascading hierarchy of spirits called ‘Vodun’ that control the forces of nature and human society. 

Visual inspiration appeared in the form of Veve: ritual diagrams drawn during the Voodoo ceremony, believed to harness planetary powers and oblige a Voodoo spirit to descend to earth to possess the body of the Voodooist. 

Here are some examples of Voodoo Veve:

  

Visually, these primitive diagrams were inspirational in terms of form, symmetry, geometry and symbolism. Symbolism being the key aspect here, as I am very interested in the Voodoo belief that these Veve's are representations of astral forces and essentially act to harness planetary powers to affect mortal human life.

Originally, my final collection was to be inspired by eight of these Veve's and the spirit each one represents... to be translated into individual garments or 'outfits'. I soon realised, however, that my interest seemed to stray from Voodoo and become focused on human's ancient 'obsession' with the planets and stars. 

Moon And Stars - Photograph by Gale Cochrane-Smith

The sun, planets and stars were worshipped as Gods and Goddesses for centuries. Constellations were (and still are) used to explain personality traits of people born at certain times of the year. Astrology and Astronomy have roots in ancient Greece, China, India and most civilizations throughout history. 

The Sun:

Our light and our lives.

The creator and eventual destroyer of life.

For millions of years, the sun was as close as we got to staring into the face of God. Worshipped throughout history for its life-giving powers, the sun's familiar presence in the sky is life itself as we know it.

Planets, stars and the immeasurable vastness of our universe is so deeply intriguing and mystifying... a hold on humanity that will never fade. This idea is what will form the basis of my final collection this year.