Seams to be Remains

The functions of seams, to withstand pressure and maintain high integrity, parallel the qualities of a “good worker.” 

Through this removal of fabric, exposed seams reveal not only their role in providing general structure within the garment but also serve as an archive of labor. Each stitch indicates where the seamstress fixes panels of woven fabrics, marrying the pair as they are pushed under the mechanized needle. 

Fixed along the wire are skeletal fabric silhouettes. From a distance, they appear as simple lines hanging in empty space. Upon closer inspection, frayed edges and stitches become apparent. Material differences dictate line weight. Sturdy fabrics give a bold presence while thin cottons and breathable mesh float gracefully in the space. Recognizable forms emerge– pants, zippers, pockets, belt loops. Others slowly reveal through our associated memory of material– high-vis yellow, khaki, and denim. With the body gouged out, the figures hauntingly loom over the viewer. Exposed and pinned for display in the center of the room.