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JaamZIN Creative
Rosie Zhang
Rosie Zirou Zhang, a visionary in the realm of textile design, stands out not only for her hands-on approach but also for her profound commitment to intertwining sustainability with art. In her celebrated "Wings" series, each piece starts with a deep contemplation of nature’s ephemeral beauty, which she translates into tangible art. Rosie meticulously prepares the warp with an artist’s precision, using warp painting techniques to render enlarged, vivid patterns of butterfly wings onto the fabric. This not only imbues her textiles with a dynamic aesthetic but also infuses them with the narratives of nature’s delicate balance, which becomes more visible from a distance, symbolizing perhaps the necessary perspective change required to appreciate the natural world fully.
Contact: https://rosiezhang.com
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Her design philosophy, deeply rooted in the textures and colors of the natural world, particularly butterflies, goes beyond mere aesthetic mimicry. In "Butterfly Collection I," Rosie selects yarns and knitting techniques that not only replicate the tactile sensation of butterfly wings but also reflect their fragility and resilience. By extracting and weaving specific colors directly from the wings, Rosie ensures each piece narrates part of the butterfly’s story—its environment, behavior, and evolution. The geometric patterns that naturally adorn the wings are reinterpreted through her textiles, mapping them onto the human body in a way that highlights both the artistry of nature and the functionality of fashion.
Rosie's sustainability practices extend beyond traditional eco-friendly measures. By integrating upcycled materials throughout her work, she challenges the fashion industry's norms. Her approach involves transforming leftover yarn and fabric scraps into the foundations of new creations, a process highlighted in her "Butterfly Collection II." This not only mitigates waste but also fosters a circular economy within her studio, setting a benchmark for environmental stewardship in fashion design.
Furthermore, Rosie’s exploration of the blurred lines between fashion and fine art raises compelling discussions about the role of textile pieces as standalone art forms. In "Butterfly Collection II", the unaltered pieces of woven fabric she incorporates are presented as if they were framed paintings, suggesting new ways of perceiving and interacting with textiles. This approach invites viewers to consider the artistry involved in creating the fabric itself, not just the final garment.
Looking forward, Rosie remains committed to pushing the boundaries of her craft. Her fascination with butterflies—more specifically, their structural and aesthetic qualities like the lines and scales on their wings—continues to inspire her. By researching these features extensively, Rosie aims to incorporate them into her upcoming projects in ways that challenge conventional fashion norms. Her work not only bridges the gap between artistic expression and practical design but also serves as a poignant reminder of fashion's potential to influence and reflect cultural and environmental consciousness.
Rosie's future projects are poised to further blend these artistic and ecological elements, ensuring her role as a pioneer in the fashion industry remains as impactful as it is innovative, continuously redefining the boundaries between wearable art and environmental responsibility.
Online Gallery
Glitch Echo
26x92 inches, echo weave, 2023
I found that by magnifying the scales on a butterfly's wings you can see the beautiful polarization on each scale. This beautiful polarization reminded me of the echo weave technique. So, I used echo weave to convey the effect of the shimmering light on the
butterfly scales. Additionally, I repeated some treadling on purpose to give the echo a sense of glitch.
Folded Butterfly
30x60 inches, double weave, warp painting, 2023
Inspired by the way butterflies fold their wings to conceal vibrant colors, I applied this concept to my weaving process. Using warp painting, I adorned two warps with distinct colors, employing the double weave method to craft 'windows' that reveal two painted wings in this woven piece.
Thermal Butterfly
30x40 inches for each, warp painting, 2023
Intrigued by the idea of capturing a butterfly's essence through a thermal camera, akin to observing a person, I explored this concept in my work. Using warp painting, I applied colors imagined through my artistic lens, comparing them to the hues of a virtual thermal wing alongside an original wing.
Wings
20x30 inches, 20x39 inches, 20x37 inches, 20x33 inches, warp painting, 2022
I'm fascinated by the intricate patterns and vibrant colors on the butterfly's wings. Each piece in this collection reflects my desire to closely examine the delicate details of these tiny wonders. Using warp painting and three different drafts in the weaving process, I enlarged the butterfly wing patterns. The joy lies in both the painting process and the transformation as the wings come to life in woven texture.
Butterfly Collection I
The knitted Collection focuses on the beautiful geometric shapes found on butterfly wings. The delicacy and softness of their wings serve as a poignant reminder, evoking the warmth and texture of knitting, which became the primary inspiration for this collection.
Butterfly Collection II
Inspired by the natural beauty of butterflies, I explore their intricate world through various fiber techniques, creating lusciously colored textile designs. From weaving large hand-dyed magnifications to sewing fabric scraps mimicking microscopic wing scales.