Within These 4 Walls -Jo Blogg

Written by Rosheen Fitzgerald

“Time is an encoded pattern of fabric woven with information and energy”. Vishwanath SJ

Anyone who knows Jo knows Jo loves clothes. Her distinctive flamboyant style is almost as iconic as her work, and the breadth of her wardrobe is equalled only by her prolific output as an artist. Taking inspiration from home, Within These 4 Walls sees Jo Blogg immortalise her style under a microscopic eye — 170 diminutive square pattern studies rendered painstakingly in paint in a kaleidoscope of colour.

Jo’s wardrobes are arranged methodically, from dark through the rainbow of colours to pale shades, and her painting process followed this method beginning with the darker shades at the back of the house. She reproduces small details of pattern out of context working from dark to light in production but chooses to display them in a cacophony of shape, style and shade, in a way that models her own approach to fashion. There is a diversity of designs, colours and eras represented in a manner that appeals both in whole as a cohesive exhibition, and individually as single pieces.

For Jo, as for many of us who find a means of expression through our dress, this was something of a personal journey through clothes. A lockdown project in which she cleansed her chakras by dressing consecutively in rainbow colours allowed her to delve into what each piece means, how it made her feel. From her extensive collection she chose to study pieces with intimate meaning, each work imbued with life and memory. Few of the pieces were new, most came from fossicking op shops or were gifted by friends. The process of producing this exhibition presented an opportunity to ponder the secret life of garments. Each piece began life in the mind of a designer inspired to create pattern and form. Each piece was worn by someone or someones before who brought with them their own hopes dreams and aspirations. Jo herself forged her own emotional relationship with the clothes — where they were acquired, the events to which they were worn, the conversations and connections made while wearing them, and often the person they were gifted to when their life with her was done. Here is a dress worn to a funeral, there menopausal wear chosen for comfort as well as style, a pair of pants that had the bottom twerked out of them by an over enthusiastic dancer, psychedelic regalia worn to a memorable gig — a flow of clothing worn through a life of art. In this way each work captures a piece of history, one that has a past and a future.

All works are acrylic on plastic with perspex frames.

Square all 9cm x9cm $111 ( There are one of 170 works at this price, sadly not all works are able to fit on this webpage)

‘A Strangely Normal Shirt’ 14cm x 9cm all $220

https://baybuzz.co.nz/jo-blogg-within-these-4-walls