Beast In Me recycled/repurposed exhibit

"Beast In Me" by Janise Crow

by Janise Crow
​I recently learned of a local art gallery looking for art submissions using recycled/re-purposed materials. Naturally I was curious so I investigated more.  The theme is "Beasts Among Us" I couldn't stop thinking about it.  Ideas flowed in and out of my mind quickly.  I grew more excited about what found treasures I could use to convey my message. I quickly scavenged my stash. I connected with friends to ask for their unwanted items and I dug through the local recycle bins.

This is to be my first large art piece I have ever submitted to a juried exhibit.   My goal was to stay true to who I am as a fashion and jewelry artist.  I want to create a wearable art piece that is unique and beautiful with lots of interest. That sparks enough interest to make you want to look closer and explore all the details. that are not so obvious. All the while pondering the question what are the "Beasts Among Us".   This is an introspective view of the Beast In Me.

Consider This While Looking at "Beasts in Me" 
A beast is usually thought of as a large and dangerous four-footed animal.   There are many types of beasts in the world.  A domestic bovine farm animal is one.  Dogs, cats, horses, monkeys, birds, and fish are all beasts. Even tiny critters like bugs are beasts.
People can be called beasts, too, when they behave in a beastly way. Anyone acting in an uncivilized, depraved, savage, violent, or cruel way is being a beast.

Beasts are considered powerful and can be cunning.  Consider how they might use its skills toward prey, unnoticeably observing, listening, and learning.  Beasts make subtle and strategic moves to lure, demobilize, and devour its prey.

Beasts live among us and they seem normal and a vital part of daily life.  But they can be deceivingly attractive either in appearance, beneficial use, strength, power, and acceptance. 

What happens when the beast is human?
What is happening today?
What is the beast within me?

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What's it made of?

Discarded and recycled materials from nature, fashion, food, electronic, and construction industries.

Shoulder sash Beast In Me

The shoulder sash is made with the tail feathers of a grouse donated by a friend from one of his hunter gatherings; a mink from a vintage stole whose holes have been patched with old window screen, and computer web camera spying eyes. The floral and fona embellishments are made from a peacock feather; recycled gemstones. The flowers are made from Tyvek that is hand-painted and cut in flower shapes. The leaves are green plastic soda bottles that have been shrunken and shaped with a heat gun. The butterflies made from aluminum cans, cut into butterfly shapes, embossed, hand painted, and accented with beads. The large focal flower is made from the spout of a soda bottle, heated and shaped with a heat gun, it has a light bulb center, a snakeskin belt has been cleverly used as the the under-structure and a printer cable with wire crocheted around it is a vine winds and snakes it way through the entire piece leading your eye to investigate what is lurking with in the beautiful bouquet. 

Middle sash Beast In Me

​The middle sash continues the floral and fona theme. It's embellishments are leaves made from green plastic soda bottles, the flowers are made from Tyvek and then hand-painted, cut to shape, and have computer components and skull centers with accents of fox fur, crystals from an old chandelier, and netting from fruit bags.  The butterflies are hand-painted, embossed aluminum cans, and a printer cable with wire crocheted around continues to wind its way in and out of a snakeskin belt.

Lower sash Beast In Me

The lower sash continues in the  floral and fona theme with a twist, the large bulb flower is a computer camera suspended by a battery accented with crocheted wire, plastic bottle leaves, Tyvek flowers, skulls, a leg from a mink stole pelt, aluminum can butterflies, net food bags, crystals from a chandelier, misc. auto parts, snake skin belt, and a blue heart.

Left Shoulder of Beast In Me

The left shoulder continues in the  floral and fona theme, the crocheted printer cable is the main vine snaking throughout the piece.  A varmint skull adorned with chandelier crystals, fox fur, rhinestone, and aluminum can butterfly is center stage.  It is further embellished with a headdress of plastic bottle leaves, Tyvek flowers with skulls and computer parts as centers, a leg from a mink stole pelt, aluminum can butterflies, netting from plastic food bags, and more fox fur.   The vine cable continues to the back of the piece where a little surprise is waiting.

Back of Beast In Me

The back is complete with a mink tail and grouse tail feathers. A plastic soda bottle holds this beautiful arrangement made of tail feathers, Tyvek flowers with skulls and computer parts as centers, chandelier crystals, fox fur, rhinestone, and aluminum can butterflies with the crocheted printer cable plugged in to complete the circuit. 

On Exhibit​

• Train Station Gallery, Clinton County Art Council

        2 East Bald Eagle Street Lock Haven PA 17745
        June 8th 6-9 pm Opening Reception
         June 8 - July 7 2018  

       Train Station Gallery Hours:
       Thursday-Friday: 1pm-5pm ~ Saturday: 9am-4pm ~ Sunday: 1pm-4pm

• Crows Nest Arts

       State College, PA
       July 8, 2018 -   (by appointment)

Contact Janise To Exhibit This Piece