Upcycled Textiles — Gillian's Art Website

Wasted Water
7’x10’
2019-20
Upcycled T-shirts

Wasted Water is a large scale weaving constructed entirely from discarded t-shirts that responds to American apparel waste. The scribble motif, recorded from the motion of walking for water, represents the 30+ minute journey that 2.2 billion people walk every day for drinking water. Americans throw away 81 pounds of textile waste per year, using enormous amounts of freshwater in the process. A single garment uses 2,700 liters of water in production, enough drinking water for a person for 900 days. The painstaking process of handweaving acts as a penance to all the people that are affected by our endless desire to purchase more clothing.

Sunshine Overalls
Upcycled hotel sheets
2018

Sunshine Overalls are hand woven from salvaged hotel sheets. Intended as a pride garment, bright rainbow hues empower the wearer in their LGBTQ or ally identity. The overall motif, a traditional garment of American farming, allow the wearer to connect gay pride to Americana.

Gillian Yerington