|
|
Mike Brookfield ~ 'Virus' fashion
label |
 |
"Fabric screen printing is easily-accessible, the results are immediate and creativity is limited only by our imaginations". Mike's surrealist-influenced fabric has been worn by Madonna and other pop icons. He was born in Auckland and studied at Elam School of Fine Arts at the University of Auckland, graduating with a BFA. in 1983. Initially he became interested in screen-printing in about 1980, through a fascination with "sampled" images. He did his first prints on canvas and hardboard for use as wall-hangings and pictures. "I soon became disenchanted with this as a way of displaying the work and realised that printed clothing gave a more interesting image and was a way of getting my ideas out to more people. My inspiration was coming from Dada, Surrealism and Warhol." |
|
The fabric developed as he experimented with collages, repeated images and overprinting. Working from a space in Auckland's Karangahape Rd, Mike moved on to shows in New York, leading to sales to many US stores including Bloomingdales. Customers included INXS's Michael Hutchence and Madonna. His work has also sold in Japan, France, Germany, Australia and Great Britain. He sees his personal acheivements as including opening up the notion that hand screen-printed clothing could be more than a T-shirt print. He's proud that he has helped show other New Zealanders that they can create original fashion which can make it in the international world. Mike continues to supply a range of designer boutiques with his Venus range including printed and unprinted garments. http://www.virusclothing.com
|
Read more about Mike Brookfield in the Museum section Jean Clarkson, POI Research Team, School of Art and Design, Auckland University of Technology, 1999 |
