Black T Boros
In the mid 2000s I became interested in the Japanese textiles known as Boros: to recycle and reuse textiles by mending and patching. I didn’t use the indigo fabrics that are often associated with it, but instead used black cotton t-shirts. I patched sections of the old ragged t-shirts in a random design, discharged the color using bleach and in some cases then applied stitches, beads and sequins. A hooked rug using this technique can be seen in Hookings.
Black Boro: Circles
2015, 20” square, I knew that when bleach is applied to black t-shirts they will change to various colors… I had no idea what colors I would get. I like the ragged edges as well and left them untrimmed.
Black Boro: Squares
2015, 20” square, I knew that when bleach is applied to black t-shirts they will change to various colors… I had no idea what colors I would get. I like the ragged edges as well and left them untrimmed.
Black Boro: Rings
2013, 30” x 36”, I knew that when bleach is applied to black t-shirts they will change to various colors… I had no idea what colors I would get. I like the ragged edges as well and left them untrimmed. I made the smaller piece first, but it didn’t look right so small, so alone, then I made the larger piece for it.
Black Boro: Spin Splat
2014, 20” square, I knew that when bleach is applied to black t-shirts they will change to various colors… I had no idea what colors I would get. I like the ragged edges as well and left them untrimmed. I used the Pollock technique of pouring and flicking bleach across the t-shirts, then I added sequins and embroidered circles.
Black Boro: Spiral
2012, 27” x 42.5”, I knew that when bleach is applied to black t-shirts they will change to various colors… I had no idea what colors I would get. I like the ragged edges as well and left them untrimmed. Here I used a stamping technique with items of various diameters.
Black Boro: Triangles
2015, 20” square, I knew that when bleach is applied to black t-shirts they will change to various colors… I had no idea what colors I would get. I like the ragged edges as well and left them untrimmed.
Black Boro: Horse Fiberglyph
2025, 20” square, I knew that when bleach is applied to black t-shirts they will change to various colors… I had no idea what colors I would get. I like the ragged edges as well and left them untrimmed. This had embroidered black thread circles with sequins and beads applied.
Halos
2026, 9” x 12”. I made this thinking it would be a quick make… that is rarely the case. Especially, when I decided to embellish with vintage sequins and beads. I like the opulence of sparkles with the plainness of the t-shirts.
Black T Boro: Equilateral Triangles (small)
2026, 12” square, I knew that when bleach is applied to black t-shirts they will change to various colors… I had no idea what colors I would get when applied to my black cotton t-shirts. I like the ragged edges as well and left them untrimmed. Black thread circles and beads applied.
Black T Boro: Circles (small)
2026, 12” square, I knew that when bleach is applied to black t-shirts they will change to various colors… I had no idea what colors I would get when applied to my black cotton t-shirts. I like the ragged edges as well and left them untrimmed. Black thread circles and beads applied.
Black T Boro: Bars (small)
2026, 12” square, I knew that when bleach is applied to black t-shirts they will change to various colors… I had no idea what colors I would get when applied to my black cotton t-shirts. I like the ragged edges as well and left them untrimmed. Black thread circles and beads applied.
Black T Boro: Squares (small)
2026, 12” square, I knew that when bleach is applied to black t-shirts they will change to various colors… I had no idea what colors I would get when applied to my black cotton t-shirts. I like the ragged edges as well and left them untrimmed. Black thread circles and beads applied.
Black T Boro: Rings (small)
2026, 12” square, I knew that when bleach is applied to black t-shirts they will change to various colors… I had no idea what colors I would get when applied to my black cotton t-shirts. I like the ragged edges as well and left them untrimmed. Black thread circles and beads applied.
Black T Boro: Triangles (small)
2026, 12” square, I knew that when bleach is applied to black t-shirts they will change to various colors… I had no idea what colors I would get when applied to my black cotton t-shirts. I like the ragged edges as well and left them untrimmed. Black thread circles and beads applied.
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