The artist explores intersections between religion and fashion by depicting figures from religious iconography in poses and contexts inspired by modern fashion imagery. She saw similarities between depictions of Mary Magdalene holding a bottle in religious paintings and perfume ads. The show includes oil paintings and sculptures that combine religious symbols with fashion brand names, such as a "Prada Magdalene" and "Celine Altarpiece." The artist aims to highlight common themes of heroism, tragedy, and aspirations to an ideal lifestyle that have inspired both genres for centuries.

1. SAINTS
ANGELS &
SUPERMODELS
ashley braithwaite bfa senior show
07.2012

2. CONCEPT
Throughout college, I worked for a favorite clothing retailer and
poured over Vogue magazines in my spare time. Strangely enough,
these interests inspired the research behind the work in this show.
Undressing an armless mannequin in a mall window one morning, I
saw the Venus de Milo. While studying in Europe, I found Mary
Magdalene depicted in religious paintings with loose, flowing hair,
holding a bottle of liquid. In those paintings I saw Calvin Klein
perfume ads.
Heroism, tragedy and human aspiration for an ideal lifestyle gain
followers in any context. These themes are present in the subjects of
14th century religious iconography and modern high fashion ads.
Such imagery have been used for centuries and continue to be
recycled today. This body of work explores where two seemingly
opposite genres intersect. My purpose is to neither favor nor
condemn religion and fashion, rather to highlight what I have come
to see just is.

3. INSTALLATION VIEWS
gallery 303, harris fine arts center

8. THE PIECES
oil on canvas, found objects & sculpture

9. PRADA MAGDALENE, 2011

10. I AM FRENCH CONNECTION, 2011

11. VON FURSTENBERG ALTARPIECE, 2012

12. CELINE ALTARPIECE, 2012

13. CELINE ALTERPIECE 2, 2012

14. VALENTINO MADDONNA, 2012

15. VALENTINO SHROUD, 2012

16. MADAME BLUE, 2012

19. ANGEL IN FLIGHT, 2012

20. SEVEN DEVILS, 2012

21. MODERN FIT VENUS, 2011

22. SEE MORE
www.ashleybraithwaite.com
http://www.pinterest.com/ambraithwaite/