Mixed grasses and linen thread; stitched
Demographic change is sneaking across the Victorian landscape. The rural town of my childhood is becoming a dormitory suburb, now only an hour by train or freeway to the centre of Melbourne. Urban style development of land into housing estates rather than single block development exacerbates the destruction of rural landscape. Social change occurs as new residents demand services and standards readily available in areas with a higher population density.
Working predominately in natural fibres, my sneaker is crafted from the most common of materials – grass. The ‘logo’ or flash on the side of the sneaker of an arrow travelling backwards utilises an endemic fern. The increasing loss of such small plants in large housing developments is indicative of a backwards step. As sneakers replace Blundstones on the pavements, I ponder the increasing impacts of footprints on our fragile environment.
Tags: commuting, environmental, fibre, plants, urban sprawl
The idea of sneaking through the grass in as grass sneaker; where the ants and bugs dont know a brand name, where the sky and earth also have no name above the sway of stalky grasses is an excellent idea! This piece is very grounded within its innate beauty. Quite lovely!