This is a brand new series on the back of the success of Vogue Lips and Vogue Quirky Queues. Taking one specific issue of Vogue magazine these works are a fusion of fashion, beauty and pop culture. Collage, acrylics and recycled nail polish are combined to create a show stopping fictitious beauty. These works are on board, varnish finished and professionally framed. These are also available as commissions where you can choose your Vogue issue of choice, possibly a date of birth for a big birthday or similar.
Initially inspired by Vogue cover photographer Erwin Blumenfelds iconic eye and lips image ‘Doe Eye’, these three dimensional works are constructed from one pair of recycled jeans and selected pieces from one specific issue of Vogue magazine. The zips, buttons, pockets and belt loops are often left visible as a nod to the previous life span. The repurposing of unused clothing within the body of the work aims to instil an emotional response and encourage others to consider the environment. The fusion of culture and colour depict an era in fashion history, simultaneously mimicking the arresting values of the original glossy pages from the magazine itself. The contrasting black monochrome backdrop is pieced together like a jigsaw, deconstructed and reassembled in a quest for order.
Further embellishment with nail polish, acrylics bring the piece together as a whole and her latest pieces have included hand sculpted teeth made from clay adding to the impact and sometimes biting the remaining spine of the magazine itself adding provenance.
These statement pieces can be personalised with specifically chosen Vogue magazine dates including vintage issues.
“These works get a lot of attention as you don’t see many three dimensional works of this style anywhere. It draws the viewer in and they generally are very shocked when they discover what they are actually made from but despite the darker environmental message I want them to be fun pieces of work and to make people smile.”
One pair of repurposed jeans and Vogue issue October 2012, clay teeth and varnish finish.
One repurposed pair of jeans and one Vogue magazine.
One pair of repurposed jeans with Vogue issue November 2012, clay teeth and varnish finish in refurbished ornate frame.
One pair of recycled jeans and one issue of Vogue Magazine.
One repurposed pair of jeans and one issue of Vogue Magazine.
One pair of repurposed jean and one issue of Vogue magazine.
One pair of repurposed jeans and one issue of Vogue magazine.
Wendy’s first taste of fashion began with paper dolls back in the 70’s where as a young child she dressed up the pop out figures from magazines which is very similar to her craft today which sees her cutting out pieces from fashion magazines to create her characters, often over accessorised thus adding a touch of humour as well as putting the spotlight on the consumerist culture of today.
Comments from collectors from ‘modern day Lowry’ to ‘bonkers but brilliant’ see Helliwell often depicting the typical British culture of queuing, a perfect platform to showcase her love of fashion, style and identity. As pieces are added, her integration of concept, colour and form express her aspirations of getting closer to the playful spirit of creativity where she endeavours to compose a narrative within the world of fashion.
She aims to evoke nostalgia through brand identity and styling where the viewer may identity with a specific character or two reminding them of someone they know or even themselves.
‘I think the desire to express ourselves through dressing up is an extension of why we buy magazines in the first place…to escape, dream and seek inspiration.’
The heads are created by a drizzle of nail polish in a pareidolia style where the unplanned abstract features become visible to Wendy where she then in turn Illuminates their idiosyncrasies and quirky styles whilst simultaneously encapsulating an era in fashion.
‘But you don’t need to be a fashionista to enjoy my work as the story displayed is really up to you to depict and it’s incredible how so many people see something completely different.’
Recycled Harrods magazine pieces, recycled nail polish, partial varnish and resin finish.
Selected pieces from one issue of Elle Magazine.
Selected pieces from one issue of vintage Harpers & Queen.
Selected pieces from one issue of Vogue Magazine.
Recycled magazine pieces on stretched canvas with acrylics, recycled nail polish and resin finished.
Selected pieces from one issue of Vogue Magazine.
Selected pieces from one issue of Harpers and Queen on stretched canvas with acrylics, recycled nail polish and varnish finished.
Linking to the theme of fashion and culture, Wendy has taken her style onto mannequins themselves using spray paint and acrylics.
Old mannequin from iconic shopping store Debenhams on Princes Street in Edinburgh with functioning lightbulb and retro cabling. Spray paint, acrylic paint and nail polish detailing.
Floor standing mannequin reclaimed from Edinburgh’s now closed Debenhams store on Princes Street. Spray paint and acrylics with an added vintage cable and lightbulb is a functioning floor lamp as well as sculpture.
Repurposed mannequin from Debenhams in Edinburgh sitting on ‘The Happy Chair’ constructed from magazine pieces over an ornate vintage chair.
The unique nature of Wendy’s work make commissions a very successful option for clients as they can include personal effects and memorabilia within the body of the work itself personalising appropriately.
Bespoke three-dimensional ‘Mod’ themed piece constructed from original M65 fishtail parka from 1960’s and a Vespa scooter headlight. Also featuring original USAF Tech Sergeant Stripes Patch, original vintage Tube and Bus station Maps (1960’s/1970’s), copies of original club flyers, cut outs from vintage Scooter magazine, 7 inch vinyl ‘I’m a Boy’ by The Who, acrylic paints, matte varnish finish on board.
References taken from punk era 1976-77, graffiti style backdrop from sex pistols imagery, music, fashion and culture from this era. This piece is constructed from a vintage leather biker jacket, 7 inch Sex Pistols vinyl and sleeve ‘Anarchy in the UK’, copies of original club flyers, cut outs from 1980’s NME, Sid Vicious Rabbit Padlock and chain, badges, safety pins, studs, recycled fabric swatches in tartan and leopard print, recycled denim with hand painted union jack, acrylic paint and nail polish, matte varnish finish.
Commission for first ever Virgin Hotel in Europe ( located in Edinburgh) constructed from one pair of repurposed jeans and various magazine pieces.
Personalised large scale Quirky Queue constructed from, magazine pieces and recycled nail polish.
Large family commission with personal memorabilia within body of work including foreign notes, magazines literature, travel and events ticket stubs.
Rolling Stones inspired piece for a 60th birthday including Rolling Stones vintage magazine cut outs and personal memorabilia including concert tickets amongst others.
Part one of Virgin Hotel commission (with a nod to the location of the old Church) this piece uses hundreds of recycled magazine pieces the foundation to create these diverse but fun characters. This is the biggest ‘Quirky Queue’ to date where Wendy brought a usually small style of work to almost life-size scale. The overall theme is fashion, diversity and culture in a sustainable manner.
Part two of the Virgin Hotel commission where each piece graces the entrance hall to the events space in the old church. Wendy has created characters from pieces from old magazines and built up these personalities organically displaying fun and colourful visuals in large scale for impact.
Every shoe has a story to tell right!!!….and I just couldn’t find it in my heart to throw away my old unwanted shoes…and thats really how it all began.
Injecting new life (and a story) into an old shoe, these fun sustainable sculptures can be used for display on or off the wall.
