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Eugene has lot on her plates

Laura GrubisaNarrogin Observer

Eugene Smalberger from Boddington has designed an outfit titled What’s Your Number which will be displayed at the Mandurah Wearable Art Showcase next month.

Smalberger riveted number plates onto a bird-wire cage, attached cattle tags to a bra, glued computer key blocks to strapping which hold up the dress and made a crown of children’s numbered play blocks.

“Travelling the world and being an immigrant in a new country I realised how overwhelming numbers have become in the modern era,” she said.

“Most places you go, you are just a number walking in the door; how many times a day does someone ask you “what’s your number?”

“Licence, Medicare, car registration, mobile, address — this piece symbolises how caged in and tied up we are with numbers in our everyday life.”

The Mandurah showcase has had a huge increase in popularity in recent times, with a 30 per cent year-on-year growth in the number of entries and costumes being entered from Australian and international artists.

When the showcase was first held in 2011 it attracted 13 entries, and this year there were 114 entries and 40 finalists.

After last year’s showcase was a sell-out the City of Mandurah extended the run to two shows, on June 10 and 11.

For tickets go to wearableartmandurah.com/showcase.

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