‘Bold Designs Take Center Stage: “Art in Motion” Showcases Iowa Fashion Creators’

The “Art in Motion Fashion Show” at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art will feature a runway unlike any other.

The distinctive event scheduled for Friday, April 25 will showcase the works of local fashion designers Judy Bales, Gyan Shrosbree, and her mother Kathy Shrosbree. Models will walk down a catwalk meandering among the art-filled galleries to display these creative outfits. This fashion show draws inspiration from the CRMA’s exhibit titled “All Dressed Up and Down,” currently available until May 18.

Bales, whose work has been showcased at the CRMA in past exhibits, is excited about having models wear her clothes instead of using mannequins. Her creations frequently incorporate repurposed or recycled materials that become almost unidentifiable due to repeated use or reconstruction techniques.

Bales stated, “Despite being crafted from artificial materials, my work hints at the sublime beauty found in nature.” He also expressed his wonder at how these man-made substances can adopt organic shapes when used in manners contrary to their original design intent during manufacturing.

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Over three decades, Bales has showcased his talents across various artistic fields such as fiber art, fashion design, and public installations, giving him an exceptional perspective. He has presented his creations nine times during Omaha Fashion Week’s runways. Fiber remains the consistent element in all of Bales’ clothing designs.

Broadly speaking, fiber plays a crucial role throughout our existence from infancy to old age,” Bales stated during a call from her residence in Fairfield, Iowa. “From being swaddled in fabric like clothing right after we’re born until we are enveloped by textiles once more when we pass away. Throughout our lifetime, we encounter fibers not just through garments, but also through items like bed linens, bath towels, household decorations, practical tools, and even structural components including canopies… Over many years, my work has involved unconventional substances such as metal wires or synthetic resins, yet I’ve always engaged with textile techniques encompassing stitching, knotting, and spontaneous weaving methods.

Kathy Shrosbree is equally skilled in sewing. As a trained furniture designer, she sews together her daughter’s artwork, referred to as “movable paintings.” Their designs showcase vibrant hues and an abstract style, incorporating two-dimensional sculptures that resemble canvases removed from galleries and wrapped around human forms.

“I genuinely love what we’re accomplishing together,” Gyan Shrosbree stated.

While not all children work alongside their parents, the Shrosbees love collaborating and creating together.

Gyan Shrosbree mentioned, ‘The synergy is amazing. Our similarities and differences perfectly align. We understand each other deeply and share many common interests and sources of inspiration. My mother is extremely meticulous and a true perfectionist; everything she creates is elegant and beautiful. She grasps who I am and can collaborate with my spontaneous and flexible approach without stifling it—instead, enhancing it. It’s enjoyable working alongside her, and I feel incredibly fortunate for this opportunity. Each time we embark on a new project, I’m thrilled at the prospect of doing it once more.’

Following the completion of her undergraduate degree in painting from the Kansas City Art Institute and her graduate studies in painting at Cranbrook Academy of Art, Gyan Shrosbree initially envisioned working in the fashion sector; however, she found that the commercial aspect was not to her liking.

“I was unmistakably an outsider in that realm,” stated Gyan Shrosbree. “It became evident to me swiftly that my approach was far less pragmatic and instead focused on engaging in the fashion arena without adhering strictly to conventional norms. Upon being genuinely immersed in this domain, I found myself drawn towards crafting unconventional fashion environments rather than conforming to the typical fashion landscape, which seemed overly concerned with practicality, along with constraints and regulations that I believed were irrelevant for gallery or museum settings.”

Kathy Shrosbree anticipates collaborating with her daughter every day.

It’s completely exhilarating,” Kathy Shrosbree commented. “We have great chemistry working together. I enjoy watching her artwork move from the walls and take form within us.

It comes as no shock that her daughter turned into an artist.

Since she was young, Gyan has been engaged in drawing and painting, demonstrating a natural aptitude for these forms of expression. Throughout her life, she has been immersed in artistic surroundings among various creatives, which provided a supportive atmosphere for her inclinations towards creative pursuits.

Despite Bales and the Shrosbrees having long-held respect for each other, this “Art in Motion Fashion Show” marks their initial joint project. Will they team up once more?

“I really hope so,” Bales stated.

This group of three could add an interesting dynamic as contestants on a show similar to “Project Runway.” Nonetheless, Bales has no intention of joining such a program right now.

I find myself oddly unimpressed with reality fashion shows due to their perceived shallowness and occasional harshness,” Bales stated. “Yet, all my acquaintances adore these programs. In my view, the stress and hurdles faced within this kind of contest could significantly propel a budding designer’s career forward. Recently, Gyan and I discussed how supportive the designers are towards one another and the positive impact of the tasks assigned during the show. As a result, I might need to reconsider my stance.

Meanwhile, the artists will concentrate on their ongoing projects. “However, we’re quite excited about this upcoming event,” Bales mentioned. “It’s sure to be a great deal of fun.”