IIW welded art exhibition, 2021

PYPER PHILLIPS (Canada)

Sometimes unique situations arise which require unique solutions inspired by passionate people. One such case is the” Little Red Dress Project” which has led to a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about missing and murdered indigenous women and girls in Canada. Winnipeg-based Metis artist Jaime Black initially conceived the REDress Project, an art installation where hundreds of dresses were hung in public places to highlight the tragic issue. It is now a permanent exhibit at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights. Pyper Phillips, a 16 year old student in grade 11 at Edward Milne Community School(EMCS) in Sooke, British Columbia, Canada, is enrolled in TASK (Trades Awareness Skills and Knowledge),a hands-on trades program giving high school or college graduates the opportunity to explore five different trades including welding. She is passionate about the project and campaign and has taken a lead in contributing to its success utilising her new skills particularly those with a plasma cutter. The program and project has inspired Pyper and she is now enrolled at the college in the welding program at the college for the latter half of her grade 12 year. Exhibit “RED METAL DRESS SCULPTURE” A local First Nations artist Karver Everson designed the dress and a template was made at Pyper’s school. Using a plasma cutter donated by a Foundation, dresses were cut out of 3mm thick aluminium material. They were then powder coated to give them their colour and a durable finish. She initially made two dresses, one of which will be hung at the school, where it will be used as a learning tool. The other will be donated to the Lil’ Dress Project, as a thank-you, for allowing use of the design. Requests have been coming in from numerous colleges and universities for red dresses to be put in their buildings to raise awareness of this problem. The plan is to create smaller versions of the dress for sale, donating the proceeds to the Lil’ Dress Project. Pyper has inspired other students by her work and many students have made dresses to support the cause said Matt Harmeson, TASK program head as well as metal fabrication teacher at the school. EMCS is hoping to expand the number of red dresses being made with the addition of a CNC Plasma or router. Dimensions Dimensions 110 cms tall, 66 cms wide Contact info E-mail: mharmeson@sd62.bc.ca (Matt Harmeson)

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