CONSCIENCE CLOAK

Australians purchase approximately 15kg of clothing per person annually, with a significant proportion ending up in landfill. This work highlights the issue of fast fashion consumption and recognises the role women have played in advancing sustainability through sewing and thrift practices. The cloak features seaweed-inspired motifs, referencing the ocean's vital contribution to climate change mitigation. Initially conceived as an art project at Little Bay Coast Centre, the piece matured during the pandemic and my relocation to the Northern Beaches, paralleling a period of personal reflection. The centrepiece incorporates fabric from my mother’s garments, while the reverse side of each segment reveals lingerie material. After several years assembling the individual elements, they were ultimately formed into a cloak representative of embrace and protection. The work serves as a reminder to choose clothing with purpose—emphasising utility, durability, and recyclability. 2023 Northern Beaches Environmental Art & Design Prize, finalist