"Float Like a Butterfly", "Sting Like a Bee"

"Float Like a Butterfly", "Sting Like a Bee", 2010

Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Art Gallery, Worcester, MA

"Float like a Butterfly", "Sting like a Bee" (left, right), 2010

Medium: Heavy Bags, fabric, jewelry

Size: 14" x 48" and 14" x 42"

Below are a few words written by the artist:

My investigation for this installation began in my Sculptural Assemblage class. I am interested in presenting female beauty and athleticism in a sport that is not traditionally feminine. I want to show that women can be feminine and elite athletes. This installation transforms space and ideas. The boxing ring becomes a place of beauty and luminosity, while still holding it purpose of physical training. I use fabric and sculptural elements to display depth, color harmony and movement. I love fabric because of its ability to be smooth, fluid, soft, brittle, shiny and lustrous. Drawing with fabric, I create dream like forms which incorporate stark lines. As an Asian Studies concentrator I have been influenced by the beautiful patterns in East Asian textiles. My work brings in decorative patterns and tries to juxtapose them with pale or contrasting fabric. The installation strives to challenge the viewer's idea of beauty and femininity.

"Float like a Butterfly", "Sting like a Bee" (left, right), 2010

Medium: Heavy bags, fabric, jewelry

Size: 14" x 48" and 14" x 42"

My investigation for this installation began in my Sculptural Assemblage class. I am interested in presenting female beauty and athleticism in a sport that is not traditionally feminine. I want to show that women can be feminine and elite athletes. This installation transforms space and ideas. The boxing ring becomes a place of beauty and luminosity, while still holding it purpose of physical training. I use fabric and sculptural elements to display depth, color harmony and movement. I love fabric because of its ability to be smooth, fluid, soft, brittle, shiny and lustrous. Drawing with fabric, I create dream like forms which incorporate stark lines. As an Asian Studies concentrator I have been influenced by the beautiful patterns in East Asian textiles. My work brings in decorative patterns and tries to juxtapose them with pale or contrasting fabric. The installation strives to challenge the viewers idea of beauty and femininity.

Striking, 2010

Medium: Speed bag, fabric, jewelry

Size: 10" x 7"

This piece is part of the installation exhibit "Float like a Butterfly, Sting like a Bee". The speed bag is transformed into a precious, revered object.

Glancing, 2010

Medium: Boxing gloves, fabric, jewelry

Size: 8.5" x 13"

Enveloping, 2010

Medium: Hand wraps, fabric, jewelry

Size: 108"

The hand wraps are transformed into precious, revered, fragile objects. Hand wraps are used to protect a female fighter's hands. They have an intimate connection with the female body.

Breathless, 2010

Medium: Mouth guard, fabric, jewelry

Size: 2.75" x 2.75"

This piece is part of the installation exhibit "Float like a Butterfly, Sting like a Bee". The mouth guard is transformed into a precious, revered object. It is protected and housed in a jewelry-like box.

3 minutes, 2010

Medium: Stop watch, fabric, jewelry

Size: 24"

This piece is part of the installation exhibit "Float like a Butterfly, Sting like a Bee". The stop watch is used to calculate 3 minutes of intense boxing rounds. The stop watch is transformed into a pearl necklace meant to be handled with ease and grace.

Effortlessly, 2010

Medium: Jump rope, fabric, jewelry

Size: 96"

This piece is part of the installation exhibit "Float like a Butterfly, Sting like a Bee". It is a training tool used to develop agility and speed. It is transformed into a delicate necklace meant to be used "effortlessly". Its' fabric and jeweled handles still depict the word "Everlast" to remind the viewer of this object's original training purpose.