Current position:

Founder/Designer at UNA BURKE LEATHER

concept title:

Re.treat

Concept:

This is a conceptual collection of art pieces, depicting a series of eight human gestures associated with the causes, the physical and psychological effects and the healing stages of human trauma. Sculptural forms are created around the shape of the contorted female body to describe several emotions, while a number of pieces are reminiscent of prosthetics and medical braces. This signifies the potential for healing within the boundaries of something which inhibits the body. Carcass-like in form, each piece is hand crafted from vegetable tanned leather, resulting in a colour that recalls human flesh. They have been produced to be viewed as contemplation artefacts, void of the human body and observed in the environment of an art gallery. When broken down into sections they can be combined with other garments and worn as structured fashion accessories. The interpretation of this work will always be subjective, depending on the outlook of the individual as a consequence of their own past traumatic experiences.