Salvaged Threads: Judy Bales Transforms Waste into Art and Chic Fashion

Today, the impact of fast fashion casts a long shadow. Its rapid production cycles churn out trendy, low-quality garments at breakneck speed, contributing massively to textile waste that pollutes our landfills and ecosystems.

With decades of experience, fiber and fashion artist Judy Bales dedicates her creative energy to working with reclaimed, recycled, and discarded materials. For her, this shift is a lifelong practice "A thrifted, found, or salvaged material has a particular appeal to me because it has had a life before I discovered it," Bales explains. “There is a freedom in knowing I cannot 'hurt' or ruin it because it has already served a purpose. This gives tremendous freedom, the ability to experiment in transforming it into something beautiful."

Based in Fairfield, Bales frequently incorporates locally sourced materials into her creations. Through meticulous repurposing and innovative restructuring, she breathes new life into the discarded, often rendering their original form unrecognizable in their newfound artistic beauty. "I am amazed at the ability of man-made materials to take on organic form when manipulated in ways for which they were not intended when manufactured," says Bales, highlighting her fascination with pushing the boundaries of material potential.

Bales's studio is a treasure trove of collected materials – often salvaged finds from unexpected places. She possesses a unique ability to reveal beauty in these unlikely sources, manipulating them in ways that defy their original purpose. Imagine mangling and crumpling wire mesh into a punk-inspired prom dress, or transforming discarded plastic sheeting into flowing, sculptural forms. These are just glimpses into Bales's innovative approach.

Bales's artistic practice aligns strongly with the growing movement towards environmental sustainability in fashion. This crucial global shift involves using organic and recycled materials, minimizing water and energy consumption, reducing waste, and avoiding harmful chemicals. Furthermore, it encompasses ethical labor practices, ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and the well-being of garment workers, actively combating forced and child labor within the industry.

Art serves as a potent catalyst for raising awareness and inspiring change, and Bales's work is a subtle but powerful form of environmental and social activism.

She has worked as a design team member for numerous integrated public art projects, including bridge enhancements for the Jefferson County Trails System. She continues to locally contribute to art through exhibitions and upcoming fashion events involving local models.

Reflecting a growing trend in the fashion world, her fashion shows featuring upcycled clothing are gaining prominence. These events serve to raise awareness about waste, challenge traditional fashion norms, and showcase the exciting potential of sustainable design. Since 2015, Judy Bales has been a consistent presence at Omaha Fashion Week, the fourth and largest organized fashion week event in the United States, annually presenting her innovative upcycled collections.

In conjunction with her upcoming exhibition at ICON Gallery in Fairfield, Judy Bales will present a series of engaging presentations exploring the intricate relationship between fashion and the broader art world as well as a deeper look into her creative process and philosophy. Additionally, a fashion show with her work on models from our community will be held. Don't miss the opportunity to witness the transformative power of salvaged materials in the hands of this visionary artist.

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Bales will have her artwork on display from May 2 through July 12 at ICON Gallery in a presentation called “Sliding Parameters: Fiber Art and Fashion.”