Selection of Button-downs

There are still hundreds of items in my father's closet waiting to be documented. But to visit the storage room which houses his clothes have become harder to access. The way leading to the small concrete structure located behind a house-come-cafe, flood consistently, and the hinges of the metal door have now rusted to open only halfway.

The clothes hang at the East end of the small warehouse, blocked by a series of intricate cobwebs created with the luxury of time. The air is thick and perhaps a bit dangerous to breathe in for too long. Wooden wardrobes that stood erect just a few months ago, now lean and bow. Mould and termites have wagered an unfair war.

Mariah Reodica, the current artist-in-residence, needed reassurance that it was genuinely okay to use a few of my fathers' clothes for her work. It is unusual to utilize the belongings of loved ones who have passed in this way. But using his things for artmaking extends the life of his material legacy. I cannot imagine a more apt tribute.

Here are a selection of button-downs, picked by Mariah for their colour and pattern. Mariah Reodica's artist profile will feature the completed work, to be posted at the completion of her residency.