Haeuser, Valluzzo & Piasta PC is honored to exhibit Athena Ting’s piece Birds of a Feather are Stronger Together that was created for Trashion Fashion, the yearly fashion extravaganza at the crossroads of upcycling, creativity and fashion. This piece also has another element to it, raising awareness about mental health.
This collaborative piece is the work of designer Athena Ting, Keva Tillem, and Jeanie Croshaw. It was based on the interplay between beauty and mental health as the feathers were collected from birds that enjoy the Napa State Hospital as their home.
Did you know that Napa State Hospital is not only one of the oldest state hospitals still in existence in California history, but it is also the home to some of the most beautiful and elegant birds in the world.
Unlike what one may see on TV, mental health facilities can also be beautiful as well as the people who stay there.
In support and recognition of the beauty of mental health, this Trashion fashion design depicts a collection of beautiful peacock feathers. Over 300 naturally shed, after the mating season were collected by hospital staff to create this iridescent marvel.
Model Athena sketched, designed and built this work of art guided by artist Kiva Tillum. The feathers are built upon a thrift store peacock blue ice skating dress. A tulle underskirt gives it flight. Look for the tiny baubles along the waist, that were rescued from her shoes that the dog chewed. Her crowning glory tiara features more plumage and metallic origami peacocks that also festoon the dress. These birds are a symbol of how beauty emerges in the places that are least expected. Model Athena takes flight in this gorgeous plumage.
For more information about Trashion, contact the Sonoma Community Center @ https://sonomacommunitycenter.org/
For more information about the Napa State hospital, kindly visit @ https://www.dsh.ca.gov/Napa/
For more information about local mental health services, check out Hanna Center https://hannacenter.org/
For more information, view our website:
