About Davenport Designs
Helen Davenport is an Artist and Carnival Costume Designer, who is based on the Isle of Wight.
She delivers workshops locally and to the UK passing skills on, combined with introducing the research of cultures through art and textiles in production of costumes , headdresses, banners and flags, willow sculptures, lanterns and silk batik. She works with various companies primarily the Arts Unit IOW and Kinetika Arts International.
Private commissions for site decor and themed events.
Helen has been established in fashion and costume production and design for 25 years. She attended The Sir John Cass School of Art, East London , where she studied Fine Art and Sculpture. Since 2000 she has developed new techniques in structure, through shadowing International Carnival artists, where these skills are incorporated into the designs of her costumes making it more visual and as wearable art.
She also is an experienced carnival performer. She has performed at Notting Hill, The Thames Festival, the first western style carnival in Kolkata India, Viarragio in Italy and the oldest carnival in England at Ryde Isle of Wight this has given her a greater insight into the practicality and importance of comfort as well as the aesthetics in costume.
Helen was announced in February 2008 as the Winner of Brintons Summer Design Competition for their current Campaign.
The Arts Council UK gave her an award to research the Venetian Carnevale in 2006 which was very successful culminating in an exhibition at the Quay Arts and showcasing the costumes i-Pavoni in Reading, IOW and Luton.
One of her significant commissions was the largescale Jimi Hendrix Willow sculpture at the Isle of Wight Festival 2007 and the decor of The Babylon Bar.
Her commission for designs and production on the traditional English Carnival called Earth Magic inspired by Frankie Goldspink for the IOW Carnival Learning Centre were taken on tour to France in February 2008 for the Nice Carnevale. The costumes will be toured to various carnivals this year in the UK.
Helen continues to research new developments in textile, recycling , traditional skilled methods and the history of Costume, Sculpture Arcitechture and Art to enhance future vision of ideas for forthcoming projects. She find travelling to other countries to see firsthand these traditions and crafts is both educational and inspirational.
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