Painted Wardrobe
The ultimate hanging canvas!
The Set Up
This installation is such a show stopper! A whole row of white clothing floating in mid-air… shirts, dresses, overalls, jackets. My absolute favourite addition has been a 1960s dress I found in the back of my local opp shop. Elsie, the most stylish lady who volunteers her time at the shop, told me the dress had been donated forever ago. All of these these gorgeous fashion gems become blank canvases!
Hang the pieces at different heights on coat hangers so they sway and turn as kids move through them. Indoors is my preference at Smudge because the clean white wall behind them makes the colours pop throughout the creating, but a washing line outdoors works beautifully too.
Offer liquid watercolours with brushes and spray bottles. You can dilute with water as little or as much as you like! I aim for stronger, bolder colours and it’s a good idea to think about how the colours will mix together on the fabric.
Smudge Tip: Opp / thrift shops are treasure troves for white clothing. Look in the sleepwear section, men’s shirts, kids’ racks… anything cotton or linen takes colour particularly beautifully.
The Making
Like so many of our installation experiences, the magic is in the movement. Walking through hanging clothes creates a calming rhythm as the pieces spin and sway.
Encourage the kids to step back every so often to see how the whole installation is changing. It’s group art without needing to choreograph a single thing. There’s no “pattern” to chase; just colour and gesture and curiosity and joy.
Materials
White clothing from opp shops or your own stash
Liquid watercolours
Brushes and spray bottles
String or washing line
coat hangers
Drop sheets (fabric or plastic-backed canvas)
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Painted Wardrobe
The ultimate hanging canvas!
Bookmark
Installations
The Set Up
This installation is such a show stopper! A whole row of white clothing floating in mid-air… shirts, dresses, overalls, jackets. My absolute favourite addition has been a 1960s dress I found in the back of my local opp shop. Elsie, the most stylish lady who volunteers her time at the shop, told me the dress had been donated forever ago. All of these these gorgeous fashion gems become blank canvases!
Hang the pieces at different heights on coat hangers so they sway and turn as kids move through them. Indoors is my preference at Smudge because the clean white wall behind them makes the colours pop throughout the creating, but a washing line outdoors works beautifully too.
Offer liquid watercolours with brushes and spray bottles. You can dilute with water as little or as much as you like! I aim for stronger, bolder colours and it’s a good idea to think about how the colours will mix together on the fabric.
Smudge Tip: Opp / thrift shops are treasure troves for white clothing. Look in the sleepwear section, men’s shirts, kids’ racks… anything cotton or linen takes colour particularly beautifully.
The Making
Like so many of our installation experiences, the magic is in the movement. Walking through hanging clothes creates a calming rhythm as the pieces spin and sway.
Encourage the kids to step back every so often to see how the whole installation is changing. It’s group art without needing to choreograph a single thing. There’s no “pattern” to chase; just colour and gesture and curiosity and joy.
Materials
White clothing from opp shops or your own stash
Liquid watercolours
Brushes and spray bottles
String or washing line
coat hangers
Drop sheets (fabric or plastic-backed canvas)
Back to Top
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Thoughts?
Would love to hear if youv'e tried this or have any ideas on how to make it even better!
