Transforming negative ordeal into positive works of art?

Una’s pieces resemble fine art objects that command the gallery space, so it is little wonder that she has already caught the attention of extreme haute couture lovers Daphne Guinness and Lady Gaga.

She breezily crosses the boundaries of art and fashion with garments that similarly transcend identity: Corsets and neck braces become armour or extensions to the human body. This season she has extended her art to film.

Una manipulates leather and metal studs with a dexterity that sees these tough materials woven and sculpted with seeming ease into organic forms. The colours are warm earthy browns, derived from Una’s natural dying methods.

The Irishwoman draws her inspiration from psychology and prosthetics. She is particularly interested in the psychology of trauma and the ways in which an individual deals with the loss of identity associated with this. She also interchanges binary oppositions, as her pieces have a strong military aesthetic that mask vulnerability and perceived deformity is sculpted into beauty.

Una Burke is exclusive to 4.

Read the orignial blog post here on Filep Motwary.