“I’ve always been careful to distinguish between those couturiers who benefit from women and those who benefit them.” – Pierre Bergé, 2016
So it was with great delight that I attended the opening of the Sculpted Dresses by Noureddine Amir on Thursday 22 February as part of the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair.
Made from raw materials found in Morocco – jute, sabra silk (cactus silk), wool and raffia – and dyed with substances such as indigo and henna and manipulated in to breath-taking sculpted dresses, the exhibition designed by Christophe Martin transports viewers to another world. Far from fast fashion taking over the world today, the designer has carefully spun the materials from the floral and fauna of Morocco, before threading and braiding them, sculpting them in to the masterpieces that hang throughout the dimly lit temporary exhibition space.
“As others create what are called ‘installations’, he displays sculpted dresses made from raw materials.” – Pierre Bergé, 2016
Amir lives and works in Marrakech. His works have been shown at the Musée de la Mode d’Anvers, the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris and his exhibition Noureddine Amir’s Sculpted Dresses appeared in 2016 at the Fondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent.
“I use the word ‘work’ and not ‘clothing’ because Noureddine is an artist who uses garments to create his body of work.” – Pierre Berge, 2016
Silk muslin trimmed with silk muslin tubes 2010
Henna-dyed raffia wrapped in silk organza 2001
Twisted sabra 2009
Spiral silk organza tubes trimmed with raffia 2009
WhyMorocco by MandyinMorocco 