My Body Is A Canvas To Decorate As I Please (oxfam) - a:dress

A beautiful upcycled vintage dress and fast fashion coat, adorned with stories and images of tattoos from 40 local women.

#Window Display

Date: Friday 25 July - Thursday 14 August
Times: 24/7
Location: Oxfam Books & Music, 10 Sandgate Road CT20 1DP

For eight months a:dress has been in conversation with forty local woman, exploring ways in which having a tattoo can be an act of self-determination and a re-claiming of bodies. We have collected stories about tattoos as an expression of identity and culture and heritage; as a marking of important stages of ageing; a rite of passage; the covering of self harm scars; healing from bereavement; recovery from mastectomy; celebration, whether of the birth of a child or the end of an abusive relationship.

A collage of embroidered tattoos and printed stories have been layered over each other and sewn on to a vintage dress dress and a fast fashion coat. The layering of images and clothing represents the outer appearance and the inner meanings of tattoos and speaks of women's lives.

You can find out about all participating artists here >>
Follow the programme on our socials >>

Find out more about the artist:

@a.dress.fashion