HATalk Competition Entry 2023

Jenepher Walker

Maker
Jenepher Walker

Country
Australia

Name of Hat
Raw Power

Description

From its vent, a molten, glowing red-orange material rises from the EARTH. Beautiful fire fountains and streams of black and orange pour across the land showing the force of nature. 1

In August this year, Litli-Hrútur erupted in southwest Iceland. I found the images and live videos of the eruption posted by Juergen Merz, (https://www.instagram.com/glacionaut/) on Instagram breathtaking. It was from this source that I took my inspiration.

Two different blocks were used to form a shape that represents the terrain that the lava flow moved through. Black was chosen as it signifies the black hardened surface of the lava as it cools. Off cuts of organza were dyed various colours to represent the range of temperature found in a lava flow. Texture and manipulation were used to show the folds and striations of the viscous lava as it moved forward over the landscape. Some organza ends project off the hat to correspond to explosive spurts of lava shooting into the air.

To denote magma under the upper crust of the earth’s surface a lining was constructed from reclaimed silk that was hand-dyed with acid dyes.

Reference
1. Tolometti, G., June 21, 2019, Rough and Smooth Lava, Ask An Anthropologist, viewed 7 October, 2023

Materials:

Reclaimed wool felt hat
Discarded off cuts of silk organza
Reclaimed silk from damaged wedding dress for lining
Millinery wire
Petersham ribbon
Landscape dyes

Techniques:

The front rounded section of the hat was formed on a beret block and then hat body was transferred to a dome block to shape the back.
Silk organza was dyed with 4 different coloured Landscaped dyes to achieve colors found in lava flows.
Wet organza was manipulated to achieve texture to symbolize the folds on the surface of the lava flow.
Organza pieces were organized to represent lava flow over the earth’s surface and then tie-tacked into position.
The reclaimed silk was dyed for the lining to represent lava under the earth’s crust.

Note: Entries have been not been edited or proofread to protect the integrity of the maker's original meaning.