Artist Statement: Logan F.
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Sobriety Date: July 24, 2018
Favorite Media: Fabric and Fashion 

Specs:

• Hand Crafted Art Jeans

• Denim, Towels, and Hot Glue

• Men’s Cut: Waist 32” x Length: 32”

• Hand Wash Only

Put Things Together In A New Way

I have always made art, before and after recovery. I think making art means more now because of the experiences I have had. Art helps me find many ways to express myself and get my feelings out. Art allows me to feel more fully.

Art gives me a break from the world. It relaxes my mind. For me, creating is a kind of meditation. Working with my hands relaxes my body. Making things gives me a break from my head and the world. When I am working with fabric and sewing – that is all I have to think about.

I have always been attracted to and inspired by working with found objects. I take something that is discarded and old, and then I make it new again. In a way, it is like giving these old things a new life – just like sobriety gave me. I also like to put things together in a new way that shocks and surprises people when they see what I have designed and built.

Fashion has always intrigued me. At first, I didn’t like any of the clothes I had or could buy, so I made my own stuff. Now, when I have an idea – I make it. I like to use old clothing because each piece allows me to respond uniquely. I feel my direction while I am working. Every piece has a different reason for how I make it. It is one-of-a-kind. Of course, they all represent me in some way. However, it’s up to each viewer to interpret my designs in their own way.

In Garden, the piece I am displaying for the Progress Not Perfection, exhibition, I used towels. I’ve never seen anyone take old towels to decorate jeans before. I liked the fabric and texture. It reminded me of earth and I wanted to make something earthy.

Art is important. People should care about art in general. Art is a way that people can make stuff with their hands and express feelings and messages. Also, it’s a way to know people and get inside their heads in order to understand them and find empathy.