Abstract Expressionist Garment
November 2025
The 3D design project explores the concept of both freedom and uncertainty, being inspired by Roy Lichtenstein's 1959 Abstract Expressionist painting Untitled. The painting's title, or lack thereof, adds to the notion of having both choice and being an enigma; something exciting but nerve-racking. Using a color percentage extractor, Daisy Imig kept in mind the painting’s notes of unease, with cool-toned colors enclosing warmer ones. She used a linen dress as the base, attaching a tutu beneath the skirt that gave the hips a rectangular flare, and added various fabrics on top of the skirt to replicate rectangular moments in Lichtenstein’s painting. An asymmetric design and the use of unusual materials, like EVA foam, create an element of unpredictability, while both the fabric-covered and painted foam create expressive, liberated shapes. On the other hand, colorful yarn was used for the smaller brushstrokes, irregularly placed and loosely draped over the shoulder of the dress. The design shows the thrill of independence with the anxieties of ambiguity, embracing choice and the unknown.