Artful and Profound COVID Scarves


Students in Professor Susanne Goetz’s Screen Printing Scarves (TD316) class were inspired to create pandemic-themed designs as their final project this semester. “Some are thoughtful, some humorous,” says Prof. Goetz who is internationally recognized as a textile designer and educator.

Sonja Feaster’s “The Sanity Scarf” story board

Students were asked to design a contemporary screen printed scarf accompanied by a storyboard with visual information about their concept. Designing with FIT’s print workshop in mind, students were only able to use two colors supplemented by overprinting and halftone effects.

“The Sanity Scarf” by Sonja Feaster

The theme was completely open. Lectures covered how scarves have long been used as a medium of political comment and to memorialize current events. Prof. Goetz says that students learned about artists who focused on social justice issues in their work.

Audrey Martiandy’s “Brunch After Quarantine” storyboard

Audrey Martiandy‘s storyboard suggests that she misses not being able to meet her friends for brunch. “Her design highlights in a satirical setting the unwillingness of some people to do their part by wearing a mask,” says Prof. Goetz.

Audrey Martiandy’s “Brunch After Quarantine” scarf design

While students are not screen-printing their designs in the School’s screen-printing lab this semester, they prepare the artwork ready for the print process and create digital visualizations. Fortunately, this is an advanced class, so students do have hands-on workshop experience. That helps them imagine how the designs would look once they are produced, she says.

Sonja Fester’s “Until we meet in Tokyo” storyboard

Students also watched videos of practitioners and innovative print processes to help keep them connected to the workshop.

Sonja Feaster, in one of two separate projects, wrote a short bio and created texture mappings for an Olympic commemorative silk scarf design, “Until We Meet in Tokyo.”

Sonja Feaster’s “Until We Meet in Toyko” scarf design

It honors both resilient Olympians and frontline healthcare workers. Feaster says that Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee, told COVID workers “You are our true champions.”

In the design, Olympic athletes are “handing the torch” to healthcare workers, who will carry it until 2021. The narrative is highly symbolic. It celebrates a year of resilience, sacrifice, and unity.

Detail from “Until We Meet in Toyko” scarf design

Katherine Murphy calls her design “Finding Peace in 2020.” Because of the pandemic, she says, “there has been a lot of stress and negativity this year. I wanted to create something that still reminded us of the good, even in difficult times.”

Katherine Murphy’s “Finding Peace in 2020″ storyboard

“The pandemic has allowed me to spend more time with them by living at home,” says Murphy. So even in a pandemic, there is always something for which to be grateful.

The border of her scarf has inspirational quotes such as, “to keep us hopeful.” She also included the hand prints of her family.

Katherine Murphy’s “Finding Peace in 2020″ scarf design

To follow Sonja Feaster go to: SonjaFeaster.com; for Audrey Martiandy go to: AudreyMartiandy.com; to follow Katherine Murphy on IG go to: @KMurphy_textiles.

Click here to learn more about the School of Art and Design’s Textile Surface Design major.

All images used with permission.

 


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