above: at left; silk chiffon gown; at right, screen printed kimono jacket
I'm afraid I no longer have the notes I took on the day, that I scribbled on a scrap of paper while I was studying the pieces, I must have stupidly thrown it out. But I can still show these pictures to readers who may not be familiar with Linda Jackson and her exuberant aesthetic.
Linda Jackson took her inspiration from nature, and interpreted the Australian landscape into art and fashion by variously exploring screen-printing, applique, quilting, embroidery, patchwork and hand-painted fabrics as well as innovative piecing and regular sewing methods.
I took these photos with my phone, so please excuse any less than stellar image quality. I did not use a flash but relied on the lighting in the gallery. And incidentally, I looked for but found no signs forbidding photography, it was an open and free exhibition, and a guard saw me with my phone out in an obviously photo-taking attitude and simply smiled cheerfully at me, so I assumed photos were allowed. However if they were not, and I am transgressing some copyright then someone please let me know and I will remove them immediately.
However I hope not, since I think some of my readers may not have come across her before, and will be as enthralled as I at her marvellous attention to detail, her eye for fabulous colour and intricate artistic design, and the superb execution in bringing her fantastical visions to life...
You can read a short bio of Linda Jackson here, see a selection of her artworks and clothing here, and other better photographs and examples of her work here
below at left, appliqued jacket and trousers and at right, patchwork ensemble
below; organza and silk dupion gown
below: jacket and trousers hand-knitted in the intarsia method
below: silk dupion gumleaf costume. I cannot recall if this was screen-printed or applique...
below at left; handpainted coat, trousers and headscarf, at right screen-printed dress and coat
below at left; printed silk dress and headscarf, the print was designed by Linda Jackson I think as part of a collection for Oroton: and at right, a Waratah inspired gown and veil
These three dresses at the left are quite a different aesthetic to her usual bold and vivid style, featuring softer muted colours and more conventional design lines. I probably would not have picked them as Linda Jackson's if I hadn't seen them here with my own eyes!
below: Sturt desert pea inspired ensemble, applique
below: handpainted silk dupion gown and ?cape?
below: quilted satin gown with veil. Other gowns in the background that I foolishly did not photograph better.
I hope you enjoyed this look at the works of a prominent Australian designer.