This body of work is a continuation of Ruth Downes’ passion for reappropriating everyday materials and objects to celebrate their intrinsic beauty. Materials for these thirty ‘wearable’ artworks have been gleaned from a diverse range of sources - from coffee capsules to face masks. Detritus from nature has also been salvaged to be reborn as a fashion statement.

The works question our accepted values and how we award status by projecting these everyday materials into the realm of art. This is more than a simple up-cycling exercise as Downes has an acute awareness of the potential of the materials. The artist’s trademark humour also runs as a thread throughout her work adding a further dimension.

This online catalogue is part of the 2021 Sydney Craft Week Festival – Online. The touring exhibition will be shown at MAG&M December 2022.