Dress c. 1937

Lillian Causey made this watercolor of a dress and shawls at an unknown date. The softness of the watercolor gives everything a ghostly, ethereal quality. The lines are delicate, almost hesitant, but they build up a surprisingly solid impression of form and fabric. Look at how Causey uses these washes of color. The way the shadows define the folds of the skirt, it's almost sculptural, but with none of the weight. It makes me think about the performative aspect of fashion and how clothing defines movement. Notice the way the lines on the dress flow; it seems the artist embraced process, and let the liquid medium dictate the forms, which lends the picture a fluid grace. It makes me think of Agnes Martin’s delicate grids, the way she lets the imperfections become the point. Art and fashion, both about constant adjustment and a conversation across time. There are many ways to interpret a dress.