Never Know

My thesis collection Never Know originates from my concerns about the future.  I present the future as an installation of visual objects and focus on creating a biographical puzzle of the future. Life is a puzzle and we never know what the next puzzle pieces of life will be. I consider these to be autobiography puzzles.

Recycled fashion magazines and U-Haul boxes are cut into jigsaw puzzle pieces and create an interactive but jumbling background for five garments. The garments are constructed from pattern pieces that are puzzle shapes, which are printed on the wool fabric. The fashion magazines speak to my intention to continue to pursue fashion. The U-Haul boxes represent the possibility of another transition in my future since it is unclear where I will be. Engaging in this process enables me to address my own anxiety and the uncertainness of the future. It is my hope that the audience who are in a similar situation to me will empathize with the work as they physically interact with the chaotic jumble of Never Know. The exhibition will be an interactive labyrinth made with these materials so the viewers can walk through the environment. They can also touch all the materials and sit on, or move, U-Haul boxes. All the viewers will enjoy exploring this chaotic labyrinth through touching, seeing, hearing, and smelling the work.

The whole concept of the collection grew from anxiety; however, the entire atmosphere of it is rather optimistic and joyful, because I am intent on enjoying the journey of finding a path in my life. While my thesis collection grew out of my personal anxiety about finding my future, it applies to our current global situation as well. We did not know this virus would emerge, rendering the future uncertain for everyone. I hope that Never Know will resonate with all who experience it and that anyone who is concerned about the uncertainty of life, future, or industry can find the exhibition relevant. Lastly, Never Know is also relevant to those concerns about sustainability, since I am using recycled materials and the environment is one of the things we will Never Know how it will end up.