Elements with Enid: Form

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Form refers to the overall three-dimensional geometric shape of a floral composition or configuration of an individual component. The forms of materials in a design should work together to give it interest, vitality and variety. Enid’s handbags helped students identify and compare overall form, such as the rectangular shape of an HH box bag or triangular tote, as well as how materials such as wood, canvas, screenprinting and jewels contributed to form. This helped them think about:

• Form of individual flowers: unique lines, mass, filler

• Form of the design: square, cylinder, sphere, triangle, rectangle, etc.

Click image to start slideshow.

The Form Exhibit

Two students created pieces independently, then worked together to present “form” as individual floral components and overall shape.

Floral Art student Arianna De La Rosa, a horticulture major, created “Petals and Thread” using fabric and canvas.

From the artist: “flowers seen throughout the composition are adapted from the main forms found on [Enid’s] purses and translated into fabric elements on canvas.”

By isolating and repeating shapes, the work highlights how simple forms can be reinterpreted and arranged to create a new visual environment.

The result is a patchwork-style garden that connects the original purse designs with the tactile qualities of textile art.

The Enid Collins bags that inspired Arianna’s piece (from top): “hapi” mini box bag (1968) and three linen canvas totes, “wild flowers” (1970), “summertime” (1968) and “field flowers” (1966).

Two examples that show how Enid’s designs boldly play with combinations of geometric and natural forms.

A closer look at shapes in “wild flowers” and “summertime.”

Floral Art student Renee Bradicich, majoring in Ag Leadership and Development, with her piece, “Garden of Shapes.”

Renee explains how the “piece is a representation of some of the different forms, or shapes, that can act as that foundation: round, triangular, and rectangular.”

Similar to the forms in “Garden of Shapes,” the exhibit’s Enid Collins purses demonstrate various shapes: the square “flower power,” round and cylindrical “knit purl” and triangular “in the swim.”

Detail of “Garden of Shapes.”

To create her geometric garden, Renee used cardboard, Styrofoam, a metal floral sphere and stand, permanent botanicals, spray paint and hot glue.

Enid Collins bags from the collection (top to bottom): “flower power” box bag (1968), “in the swim” drawstring linen canvas tote (1966) and “Knit 1 Purl 2” (1961).