BDG just launched its latest collab with leading denim mill ISKO and British artist, Dwayne Coleman. The drop showcases denim you can depend on, made with innovative lower-impact materials and washes.
The BDG design team had access to ISKO’s research and development centre in London and loved it so much that they went back to shoot the collection in their denim laundry. For the shoot Dwayne created a large-scale drapery featuring recycled off-cuts and patchworked panels that were used as the backdrop for the shoot, plus elements of his work have been merged into the collection through patchwork and mark making techniques. We speak to Dwayne about the drop...
BDG x ISKO with Dwayne Coleman
Tell us your story
I grew up living on Saffron Lane, an Estate in Leicester which had a profound influence on me and my artwork as it was such a unique, seemingly lawless area, where burning cars was a hobby for some people. I am now living and working in London, where I have been making work inspired by my local area, Camberwell. Naturally, the influence of Leicester resulted in art which reflects my experiences and the environments in a direct way.
Tell us about the artwork you created in collaboration with BDG
I have used my traditional techniques of bleaching, dyeing, and painting. I aim to apply abstract motifs of my environments into the fabric of the piece where I have patchworked panels of different fabrics including canvas, corduroy, poplin and a lot of denim. The working-class history of denim and bleach and the beautiful way they combine means that I’ve used this technique through the whole piece and because I love to blur the boundaries between painting, sculpture and textiles. I have used this collaboration to enable me to combine these elements, incorporating them into sculptural, site-specific drapery.
How does your art feed into the collection?
By infusing my art with motifs inspired by everyday life, I contributed a wide array of mark-making that takes on playful character, blurring the boundaries between abstract and figurative gestures. Within the collection is the recurring motif of a brick wall. I embedded fragments of memories, local myths, and residual marks from this time within the visuals, alluding to cities that face economic challenges.
What do you love about the collaboration?
BDG and ISKO have a commitment to pushing creative boundaries and sustainability, which aligns perfectly with my artistic vision and how I work, so it was an exciting back and forth in the design process. It was great to be a key part of the process by visiting the denim laundry, being able to see the work being done, and to see the effort you have put into sustainability which has a massive role in my work as I often used recycled materials or found objects in my work.
I grew up living on Saffron Lane, an Estate in Leicester which had a profound influence on me and my artwork as it was such a unique, seemingly lawless area, where burning cars was a hobby for some people. I am now living and working in London, where I have been making work inspired by my local area, Camberwell. Naturally, the influence of Leicester resulted in art which reflects my experiences and the environments in a direct way.
Tell us about the artwork you created in collaboration with BDG
I have used my traditional techniques of bleaching, dyeing, and painting. I aim to apply abstract motifs of my environments into the fabric of the piece where I have patchworked panels of different fabrics including canvas, corduroy, poplin and a lot of denim. The working-class history of denim and bleach and the beautiful way they combine means that I’ve used this technique through the whole piece and because I love to blur the boundaries between painting, sculpture and textiles. I have used this collaboration to enable me to combine these elements, incorporating them into sculptural, site-specific drapery.
How does your art feed into the collection?
By infusing my art with motifs inspired by everyday life, I contributed a wide array of mark-making that takes on playful character, blurring the boundaries between abstract and figurative gestures. Within the collection is the recurring motif of a brick wall. I embedded fragments of memories, local myths, and residual marks from this time within the visuals, alluding to cities that face economic challenges.
What do you love about the collaboration?
BDG and ISKO have a commitment to pushing creative boundaries and sustainability, which aligns perfectly with my artistic vision and how I work, so it was an exciting back and forth in the design process. It was great to be a key part of the process by visiting the denim laundry, being able to see the work being done, and to see the effort you have put into sustainability which has a massive role in my work as I often used recycled materials or found objects in my work.
Why is art important to you?
Art has always been an integral part of my life, serving as a means of expression and exploration. Through art, I can communicate stories of utopia and dystopia, addressing the clichés of growing up in a working-class environment with a conceptual framework and abstract language. Allowing me to create a dialogue that sparks contemplation and invites viewers to find personal meaning in the intricate layering of motifs and materials.
Sum up your artistic style in 3 words…
Saffron Lane Estate
Creatives we should check out
Jake Kent Emmanuel Awuni Olivia Fiddes
When you’re not creating art, what are you doing?
Skateboarding, going for walks where me and my partner find cool architecture, going to see shows, but daydreaming mainly…
What’s next for you?
I have some exciting things ahead, I have been accepted into the Royal Academy Schools where I’ll be for three years. It’s a super amazing opportunity for me and I’m very excited to get stuck in and make some cool stuff. I also have some further collaborations on the horizon, more shows and I’m exploring new ways of working – very excited to see where it takes me.
See Dwayne's work here.
Art has always been an integral part of my life, serving as a means of expression and exploration. Through art, I can communicate stories of utopia and dystopia, addressing the clichés of growing up in a working-class environment with a conceptual framework and abstract language. Allowing me to create a dialogue that sparks contemplation and invites viewers to find personal meaning in the intricate layering of motifs and materials.
Sum up your artistic style in 3 words…
Saffron Lane Estate
Creatives we should check out
Jake Kent Emmanuel Awuni Olivia Fiddes
When you’re not creating art, what are you doing?
Skateboarding, going for walks where me and my partner find cool architecture, going to see shows, but daydreaming mainly…
What’s next for you?
I have some exciting things ahead, I have been accepted into the Royal Academy Schools where I’ll be for three years. It’s a super amazing opportunity for me and I’m very excited to get stuck in and make some cool stuff. I also have some further collaborations on the horizon, more shows and I’m exploring new ways of working – very excited to see where it takes me.
See Dwayne's work here.