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ISSUE 4 - SEPT 2005
The Ruined Edition

What not to wear by Natalie Dowse

WARNING: this is a shallow article about fashion ...

I find myself with a dilemma; what is the perfect studio apparel? I'm not sure whether I am delighted or gutted when a decent item of clothing gets ruined in the process of making art. I find myself 'gutted', as this item has to be relegated to the 'ruined' clothes pile. However, are mishaps like this serendipitous or deliberate?

For a nano-second I'm secretly delighted as I drop a loaded palette knife on to my newest Jeans; thus giving the perfect opportunity to down grade them and have something half decent (though possibly short-lived) to wear to the studio on a permanent basis. But as I desperately search for a clean rag (there's never one when you need one) and the white spirit - which you then have to douse yourself in (thus becoming a walking fire hazard and smelling 'delightful') it dawns on you, "Why was I wearing these anyway?" So, what can you do?

Here are few of the options:

1. Wear very old clothes. Good solution, but if you need to pop into town, you run the risk of feeling like a total tramp and you are guaranteed to bump into a glamorous acquaintance or a love interest.

2. To 'dunga' or not to 'dunga' (to wear dungarees or overalls). This may be the preferred option for some - but it is definitely not for me!

3. Keep spare clothes at the studio to change into. However, this is far too sensible and sounds like the good advice your mum would give you!

4. Make art with clean materials, the aid of computers or get someone else to make the work for you - then go around looking sassy!

5. As previously mentioned, wear your normal clothes, daub them and reluctantly move them to the 'ruined' pile, thus added them to your studio wardrobe.