"I couldn't ask for better quality materials" - S.Smart
"I believe they're the best picture framers in Sussex" - S.Smart
About Stephanie
In 2012/13 Stephanie began producing items of clothing from paper, after having seen a paper kaftan that had been made for a Sultan and was exhibited in a museum in Istanbul. Stephanie believes that creating clothing from paper asserts the garment as a canvas for ​drawing and script, directing attention toward surface decoration and pure paper craft.
Stephanie’s aim is to make work that is as technically intricate and challenging as it is beautiful and interesting. Her objectives are: to stretch preconceptions of craft; to question the boundaries of art; to influence dialogue in this area; to create objects that are deeply thoughtful, carefully constructed, materially proficient. She believes that craft, fashion and fine art interweave. Of late her work has been seen at the Affordable Arts Fair, Battersea and in a number of independent galleries.
About the Project
In May 2017 Stephanie Smart’s latest collection was exhibited in the Great Hall of Danny House, Sussex, under the title ‘Maison de Papier’.
The collection resulted from Stephanie having worked as Artist-in-Residence on site at Danny House for 11 months, collecting oral histories, running craft workshops with current residents (who include a 97 year old, female, WW2 veteran) and encouraging general engagement with the processes of making.
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‘Maison de Papier,’ a collection of 9 life-size haute couture historic garments, was made entirely from paper and thread.
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Though fashion was the framework for this project, the stories of the inhabitants of Danny House and the possibilities of working with paper also inspired this collection.
As a fine artist Stephanie is intrigued by what is inside people, what drives them, what they think, feel and recollect.
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This website details her research, images related to Danny's historic residents and written/videoed extracts of conversations Stephanie had with those present day residents who most directly inspired the final pieces.
‘Maison de Papier,’ the exhibition, appealed not only to
lovers of art and craft but also to those with an interest
in Britain’s social/cultural history.
To see the final pieces please click here:
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Contact me:
Stephanie Smart
07899 074294
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To order your digital copy of:
Maison de Papier - an artists residency - Stephanie Smart please email me your postal address using the form below or direct at: stephaniesmart@yahoo.com
The book includes footage of 3 of the dresses being constructed. It costs £9.95 (payment due by BACS)
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