The Body is my Canvas

Fashion and Textiles and Media Make-up students had an amazing opportunity to participate in a project entitled ‘The Body is My Canvas’, presenting their final work in a collaborative fashion show, photoshoot, and exhibition. 

A fashion show and exhibition of the students work opened at Craven Arts on Friday 14 November and will be in place as an exhibit until 23 November. 

This project invited our students to explore the human form as a dynamic medium for artistic expression. Through research into inspiring artists and designers and their own personal concepts for the project, they investigated innovative approaches to fashion and textile design.  

The project involved artist research and a research trip to Manchester Art Gallery and the Whitworth Art Gallery to study the work of influential artists and designers, to deepen contextual understanding and most importantly to spark inspiration! Students drew from this in-depth research to explore connections between art sources and multi-disciplinary fashion and textiles outcomes through a series of workshops including mark-making, drawing, painting, draping, pattern exploration, sublimation printing, machine embroidery, and illustrative design. 

Students used their findings and ideas to create bold, artistic fashion that challenged conventional boundaries whilst using the body as a living canvas for the creative vision and were challenged to develop bold, experimental fashion outcomes.  By treating the body as a dynamic medium, students were asked to create works that provoked thought, evoked emotion, and redefined the relationship between art, fashion, and the human form.  

LauraLee Brennand, Lecturer in Art & Design said, “The collaboration celebrated individuality, creativity, and risk-taking, empowering students to craft a distinctive visual narrative, inspired by research, that left a lasting impact!” 

“This project was so much fun! We spent weeks playing with paints and canvases, print designs, colours, textures and shapes on the body. The outcomes produced by the students are exceptionally high, it was a pleasure to present their work at the show.” 

Chloe Malik, Lecturer in Media Make-up added, “It has been incredible to see Media Make-Up and Fashion & Textiles students collaborate on this fashion show. Through this project, they have gained real-world industry skills and created seamless looks in a fast-paced, creative environment. The showcase featured an incredible range of styles, from full-body make-up, period hair and make-up to striking high-fashion catwalk looks. The results were exceptional. One of the most rewarding moments was seeing parents experience and celebrate their children’s work firsthand.” 

Selina McGonagle, Director of Craven Arts commented “Amazing young people, with great expressive talent. Will love to have Craven College at Craven Arts House again, refreshing and innovative. Come back soon!” 

Lilly St Julien, Level 3 Fashion & Textiles student said, “I love being part of the fashion and textiles course as I can express my individual identity. I loved being part of the fashion show for The Body Is My Canvas it was such a great opportunity!” 

Holly Haigh, Level 3 Fashion & textiles student and currently on Work Placement at Craven Arts added “Preparing for the show has brought our class closer together, as we’ve learned more about each other’s inspirations and shared creative passions.” 

Claire Drane, parent of one of the exhibiting Media Make-up students added, “What a pleasure to watch the ideas and talents of these young people. It was amazing how each one was so unique and expressed different ideas and styles. It was thoroughly enjoyable.” 

‘The Body is My Canvas’ is available to view at Craven Arts until 23 November. Craven Arts is open from 11am to 4pm on Thursday to Sunday and no booking is required.