The one detail of group exhibitions that is equal parts anxiety-inducing and thrilling is not, as expected, the number of artists, whether there are three or over sixty; it’s actually the sheer quantity of dialogues their works create together. The CAMP’s latest group exhibition, Not Dior’s New Look III, isn’t simply an array of works tethered to one another by medium or aesthetic—it’s a conceptual runway. Following CAMP founder Melanie Prapopoulos’ commitment to donating a percentage of gallery sales toFashion Fights Cancer, a non-profit organization founded in 2004 that offers innovative and therapeutic programs in fashion and design, what was once a fun digital exhibition has blossomed into a conversation, and ultimately, a force for good.
Oftentimes, the intersection of the Fashion and Fine Art realms is looked at from a depersonalized lens, fully devoid of nuance, and totally forsaking the vibrancy of creative pursuits that makes all that labor worth it. Not Dior’s New Look III stands as an acknowledgment of what makes this life fun, how easily we’re able to both influence and find inspiration within the people around us, and just how vital one’s personal aesthetic is to the rest of our lives.
London-based artist and illustrator Isher Dhiman is playing her part in the conversation about whether "art" and "fashion" are as mutually exclusive as we've been led to believe. The artist's reverence for the postwar Master of Fashion illustration era, the same one in which Christian Dior debuted his New Look, comes alive through a coupling of a minimal color palette and the traditional prototypal nature of fashion illustration.
"I feel we can all become better versions of ourselves in the art we create and in life in general. Art plays a huge role as it is a very powerful medium in which to communicate, it allows us to express ourselves and has the power to create emotional and physical connection," Dhiman shared with The CAMP in 2020.
What role do you think art plays in our societies?
Art plays a huge role as it is a very powerful medium in which to communicate. It allows us to express ourselves and has the power to create emotional and physical connections. Art has a way of engaging people and allowing conversations that otherwise would not take place. I think as conscious entities on this earth, we all have a role within the wider societies to use our artistic voice, whether we are at the forefront or we are quietly championing behind the scenes.
How do you find fulfillment in your artistic process?
Being on an ever evolving creative journey, I find fulfillment in continually adding to my creative practice through exploratory creativity but also really understanding my tools and mediums so that I can push my creative process further. Never one to shy away from learning new things that I can incorporate into my creative practice, I find fulfillment in knowing that there is so much still for me to try out and I always look forward to what new things I can explore and involve into my artistic process.
Is there a larger theme at play across your body of work?
Art for me is an ever evolving journey; a storytelling mechanism, a visual narrative, a way to communicate a message or capture a moment/emotion in time. Themes within my art for me change periodically, depending on what has inspired me. For example I could be inspired by a designer's thought process when designing a collection, which initiates in depth research on my part as I try to interpret and celebrate this in my artwork, much like many of the artworks in this exhibition.
I have quietly supported many organisations and charities over the years, but with the rise of social media and the endless possibilities to raise awareness, I try to use my artistic voice for topical issues that are important to me, that invite the viewer's curiosity and questions the conscious. I have created artwork across the themes of women in STEM, our planet and mental health to name a few.
Can you tell me a little bit about your relationship with your art and how it plays into your relationship with fashion?
As a trained fashion illustrator, having completed my further studies at Central Saint Martins College of Art and London College of Fashion, I have always had a love for incorporating Fashion within my Art. In recent years though as my conscience questioned my love for Fashion, I had what you may call a ‘Love Hate’ relationship with Fashion. I went on to complete a Fashion & Sustainability course to understand more and was somewhat reassured that it is possible to have access to Fashion without using up resources and there are many ways that can be deployed to address the current imbalance. There are many designers who are embedding sustainability into the supply chain, having a 360 approach and much like art, fashion is a way of connecting, like a piece of art on your body and having this deeper understanding
Does this impact your work?
Yes it impacts my work hugely, as I am always consciously aware of this and when possible I always like to use my artistic voice to support or raise awareness through my art. For example, I will be launching my first collection of NFT art that is fusing Fashion Art with raising awareness of endangered animals and our need to support and protect. I will be joining with the World Wildlife Fund who are committed to endangered species protection by donating sale proceeds to them and others involved in working tirelessly to ensure that endangered animal species are protected. It is important to me that I use my artistic voice, when I can to play a small role in raising awareness or initiating response in others.
Not Dior’s New Look III is the first official collaboration that The CAMP is doing with Fashion Fights Cancer. Can you walk me through your feelings about this, and the fact that part of the proceeds will be donated to FFC?
As an avid campaigner and supporter of various charities, I think it is an incredible initiative; if through our art and artistic voices we are able to support such a worthy cause, then we should always try and support as and when possible. I feel honoured to have been asked to participate and I really hope that the exhibition does well and collectively we can do what we can to support and raise proceeds for such a worthy cause.
How do you feel about your work, specifically, being placed in a larger conversation about art’s capability to inspire awareness and bring about change?
This is often my aim with the art that I produce, to be placed in a larger conversation to inspire awareness and bring about change; I will always love to have the opportunity to be involved. I will always strive to use my artistic voice to raise awareness and support when I can and I think it is fantastic that CAMP and Fashion Fights Cancer have joined forces to allow us all to be placed in these much needed wider conversations.
Why are you an artist?
Art is my life. Being creative from a very early age, I always knew that it was something I just had to do. Having a sustained curiosity that leads me to explore and develop as an artist is something that I strive for. The day’s when I am not creating art, I feel a part of me is missing, whether it is turning my thoughts and feelings into something physical, viewing art in a gallery, observing art in nature, or listening to certain lyrics from songs. With the rise in social media, I feel that I am able to connect and use my artistic voice even more to raise awareness and ignite curiosity in others. I will always strive to do what I can to create art not just for art’s sake, but to ensure that it is a door to a bigger platform, to invite curiosity and thought in others for larger conversations to be had that initiate a positive response. But ultimately Art is Life.