Una Burke.

Una Burke makes the most remarkable objects, both fashion and art related. Carcass-like in form, each artefact is hand crafted from tanned leather, resulting in a colour indicative of human flesh. The pieces can be used as artefacts and can be placed in the environment of a gallery or they can be used in the context of a fashion accesory. When broken down into sections, the pieces can be combined with other garments and worn as structured accesories for the body.

This collection of emotionally charged fashion artefacts is based on the subject of human trauma. Victims of this often create emotional barriers as a means of protection against the re-occurance of pain. These barriers have the potential to become a trapping device, resulting in an inability to function in certain situations. But when the body is removed from these leather structures, the shape of the contorted human form is retained and a moment or feeling remains apparent. Also a number of pieces resemble medical braces used to heal broken bones and spinal injuries; this signifies the potential for healing.



"Through my work I continually aim to create leather objects which are both visually captivating and technically challenging. They are pieces of wearable art which are indefinable as particular garments, preventing them from being placed into the conventional categories of the fashion industry." thus Una Burke.

But Una has had her work already requested by several influential stylists and has also received orders from artists like Lady Gaga and Madonna. She's now slowly developing ranges of smaller leather accesories and bodypieces for stores in London and San Francisco.

Written for BLEND.