The Red Ribbon Dress

I am re-creating a Piece of work I first came up with in 2004/5 while on a foundation Arts course. I hadnt disclosed my HIV Positive status to my fellow students even though had made some really good friendships but the time never seemed right? I didnt know how it might impact on the way they felt about me and I certainly didnt want any Hatred or Sympathy from anyone towards me?
It was getting nearer to deciding on a final piece of work to create for the end of year show. I had gone into this foundation telling myself that I was going to make something to raise awareness about HIV and how it can affect so many people from so many different walks of life. I came up with the idea of a Dress made using the Red Ribbon(the symbol of HIV/AIDS) I also wanted the Dress to have impact so decided that the design was very Mae West (with lots of attitude) I made the frame of the skirt with chicken wire and this was to be covered in over 1000 Red Ribbons. I made a plaster cast for the torso and designed a tshirt with the words 'Gay,Straight,Doesnt Discriminate'....The many Ribbons were representing the many lost to HIV/AIDS and the ones I was meeting at different support groups.
The final piece took a lot of time and patience and many burns from the hot glue gun but I felt so proud to display it in its glory and hoped that while I was working on it one of my friends at college would ask me about it and then I could disclose. This never happened! It was shown a few times around the South of England and got pretty damaged over the years. I disclosed a little later on the Fine Art Degree course.
Last year 2010 I really wanted to Re-create it, but make it bigger and better. I wanted to make it so I could actually wear it to show how far I had come from being first told my diagnosis and the shame I felt to the now outspoken and proud Woman that I had become.
I was too busy in 2010 on other projects, one being my 2nd solo HIV Art Exhibition that took a lot of my time. I moved house this year 2011 and am also now represented by DEBUT Contemporary Gallery in the West End of London so have been kept pretty busy. I kept going back to my Ribbon Dress and thinking about how it could be created by many representing the many by the Ribbons so told people about my intentions and have now also joined up with The London AIDS Memorial Group in which I will be curating Pop Up shows in London next year all raising awareness. The call out now is for Ribbons and Dedications so I can start assembling the Dress. There is no deadline as of yet as want as many people to know about this project so they can all get a chance to contribute. I hope to be able to wear it next Year?

http://mandywebb43.com/I have attached one of the only images that sadly I have of the original Dress and it shows how the frame is miss shaped.

Beginnings

I've titled this Blog 'Beginnings' as this is a new experience of writing about my Artwork and the things that continue to inspire me to keep doing this thing I love. It takes over my World. Im continually inspired by situations, things people say...I even keep a notebook by the side of my bed as have some really creative idea's in the early hours of the morning, 3a.m seems to be a prolific time for idea's?, I use to put it down to the medication I was taking so was really worried when my Specialist suggested a change of drug regimen. But thankfully that wasnt the case.
As an Artist going to Networking events, you are always asked about your 'Blog' as it really seems to be a tool of the trade these days so thought that I had better get with the programme and start blogging.
The Artwork I create took a dramatic change of direction when I was diagnosed HIV Positive back in 2002. I had gone undiagnosed for over 10 years so the virus had really taken its toll on my body and I ended up in hospital for 3 weeks with a really chronic chest infection that indicated an AIDS diagnosis!!! I couldnt believe this was happening to me, no-one could believe it!!! Nobody thought that I would survive including myself as I was so frail. But I survived and had to learn to walk again and prioritise what was important in my life and making sure that I did as much as I could for what time I had?
I managed to complete my Fine Art Degree in which I won the Graduate Award for my Degree show that consisted of many pieces in a gallery setting all inspired by my HIV status. I worked so hard to produce a collection as that was my Goal from the beginning of the Degree. I wasnt interested in what marks I got, I just wanted to leave with a collection of Artwork that I could exhibit and raise awareness.
I won my First Solo Show with the Graduate Award. It was a little bit like the rabbit in the headlights at first as had no knowledge where to start with putting on a Solo show and all it entailed but got some good advice and then ticked each thing off as I went. It got easier and I actually really enjoyed the whole process.
I have had 3 Solo shows now and have been in many Group shows and still get the most amazing buzz when the work is up on the walls of the Gallery. Its not an easy Career choice and it is a choice that you have to commit 100% to but I believe you have to speculate to accumulate as nothing in life is ever that simple and easy and Ive been to the school of hardknocks and have many cuts and bruises from it...but my cuts and bruises are all adorned with the most decorative of plasters!!! Life is Art/Art is Life http://mandywebb43.com/