A long, long time ago it seems, I was shown how to rust fabric by wrapping it around rusty things, tying it tightly, soaking it in vinegar and popping it in a sealed plastic bag and leaving it in the sunshine for 2-3 weeks.
My very first attempts were used in these three pieces called "Place" way back in 2010.
This rusting approach produced very vivid rusty colours I must say! A lot of my rusting of things is now with tea and it makes for a much softer look overall.
Here they were in 2012 at the Tread Lightly exhibition…looking a little worn, but still strong.
Which brings me to today. Barry and I are-arranging the garden a bit and the tree where these pieces had lived for the last few years is going. So before things got too serious we unwrapped the pieces from the tree, and had a look at how they had weathered.
I must say the last few years have really had an impact and I love all the changes on them.
This one 'belonging' is most affected - the rust and weather have worn through the fine fabric, leaving tufts and shreds.
The rusted leather on 'meaning' has aged nicely.
And the rusty bits on 'connecting' have been home to somebody.
All the little cross-stitches are green; and the eyelets wearing thru.
I turned them over to see what was happening there and they are soft and grey.
With remarkable moss-like growths on one,
And little critters making their home on another.
A part of me is still amazed that they are holding up as well as they are really. I have really enjoyed passing them each day (the tree was on the driveway) and now I need to look about and find another home for them; for their next instalment of ageing gracefully.
My very first attempts were used in these three pieces called "Place" way back in 2010.
This rusting approach produced very vivid rusty colours I must say! A lot of my rusting of things is now with tea and it makes for a much softer look overall.
Here they were in 2012 at the Tread Lightly exhibition…looking a little worn, but still strong.
Which brings me to today. Barry and I are-arranging the garden a bit and the tree where these pieces had lived for the last few years is going. So before things got too serious we unwrapped the pieces from the tree, and had a look at how they had weathered.
I must say the last few years have really had an impact and I love all the changes on them.
This one 'belonging' is most affected - the rust and weather have worn through the fine fabric, leaving tufts and shreds.
All the little cross-stitches are green; and the eyelets wearing thru.
I turned them over to see what was happening there and they are soft and grey.
With remarkable moss-like growths on one,
And little critters making their home on another.
A part of me is still amazed that they are holding up as well as they are really. I have really enjoyed passing them each day (the tree was on the driveway) and now I need to look about and find another home for them; for their next instalment of ageing gracefully.
Wow! (that's a highly intelligent term, by the way...tee hee) Those pieces held up very well against the elements. I love the frayed edges and general weathering of the fabric. Perhaps a few rusty peace flags would be good this year alongside my discharged ones. The new neighbors won't know what to think. Ha!
ReplyDeleteGo on do it! New neighbours need to know who they're living next to - the rust queen! I do love how they have weathered, and I have so enjoyed watching them make their transition...
DeleteThey certainly have fared well. The texture and colour of the rusted leather is particularly interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt's intriguing isn't it Robyn? I was surprised I could rust leather; let alone discover it would weather so well. Life is full of learning...
Deletegorgeous textures...
ReplyDeleteThanks Cat - I agree!
Deleteif only we could all enjoy our personal aging and weathering as much... lovely
ReplyDeleteIndeed Ronnie - sometimes I gasp to think I'm nearly 50 when I feel about 25 years younger; and sometimes I get annoyed with ageing bits and pieces; but generally I think it's grand to get older and wiser!
DeleteI agree, the frayed bits are lovely! There's something about worn/used fabric, isn't there? As if it carries history in the fibres. X
ReplyDeleteI think you're right Jan- it feels as if the frayed fabric is telling a story of sorts…hinting at it, letting us know that things have happened, just not sure what. I love to hold fabric that i sold and thin and worn - just beautiful.
DeleteWabi-sabi in action. I love artworks like these....so honest and grounding.
ReplyDeleteThey have been so true and honest Amanda - just being what they can be in amongst it all. I like where they have been, where they have come to and where they might go; just waiting for the next chapter!
DeleteF - such beauty in the ephemeral art - demonstrates that letting go has its artistic beauty. Peace. B
ReplyDeleteHmmm - good lesson in there B about just letting go. These pieces have seemed to do a dance wiht nature somehow; and are shining brightly, tho differently now.
DeleteSeeing the changes wrought in these pieces of fabric, first by you Fiona and then by nature and by time is enthralling. You must have the patience of a saint to allow this metamorphosis to happen but what gorgeous results. I love the soft grey on the reverse of them.
ReplyDeleteLovely results without me having to do anything Lesley - except watch and wait. They are still hanging around while I try to work out where to put them next - I'd like to still be able to see them as I do my daily life; but then the thought of coming upon them only occasionally makes me think I might like that as well!
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