DESCRIPTION

This delicate paper dress has been made for one of the 28 Catherines who drowned when the convict ship 'Neva' was wrecked off Cape Wickham, King Island, in 1835. It is made from seaweeds gathered from the shipwreck site.
The 'Neva' was carrying 150 female Irish convicts and their 56 children. As my name is also Catherine I feel a particular affinity with these poor victims. I have made lifesized garments for the 5 Catherines who were children, and smaller dresses for all 28 Catherines.
The work is framed in a natural timber frame, which complements the natural seaweed colours.