T-Shirts

Just another weird little image for the front of a T-shirt, made by me.

T-Shirt

I've been doing some T-Shirt designs, and here's a weird little one. I hope you like it. I've been wondering about where the word T-Shirt actually comes from. And though I haven't researched it all – no not even a sneaky little wiki – I have decided that it is probably because the shape the garment resembles a 'T', with the sleeves being the bar on the top, and the torso being the central column. Who knows? (That's a rhetorical device guys, no need to respond, because probably a lot of people do know).

Crucifix?

I was toying with some design ideas for t-shirts ( I've bought some t-shirt transfer sheets) yesterday evening. I tried some phrases, names, and collages, and was trying to make quite bold images. Of course I tried love-hearts and stars, but then I tried a crucifix made of satsumas. I was perhaps influenced by the increasing ubiquitousness of the crucifix as a clothing or jewellery design. For example, this tank top relies on the distinctive cross-shape.

But this set me thinking, I don't know how comfortable I am about wearing such a potent symbol on my tummy. The crucifix has strong Christian connotations. It is also a method of execution, and I definitely wouldn't wear an electric chair on my t-shirt. I came across this article, which goes into the issue in more depth, and left me very unsure about my satsuma-cross. 

So, is it acceptable to wear the crucifix in the same way that one wears the love-heart? I suppose the heart, too, is an incredibly powerful symbol. As indeed are any such simple graphic shapes, the McDonald's golden arches, African Adinkra symbols, even the smily face. 

But does this ubiquity lead to a loss of meaning? I suppose it must do, to some extent. But perhaps strong, simple shapes can only result from a distillation, or simplification of big ideas. And so this logo has both symbolism, and graphic simplicity. And this suggests that use of the crucifix as a graphic design is justifiable. 

But I don't think I'll be printing my satsuma t-shirt.

There's been a lot of hype around the Yayoi Kusama exhibition at the Tate Modern. Understandably so, her work is engaging, exciting and weird. So inspired am I that I've been polka-dotting all weekend. It is obviously very repetitive, which could drive you dotty (what a joke). Here are the results of my labour, most of them are actually pretty ugly, which is a pity. But at least I had a 'productive' weekend.

Top image courtesy of:  http://theredlist.fr/wiki-2-351-382-1160-1284-view-japan-profile-kusama-yayoi.html