UTICA, NY.- Breathtaking full-scale masterpieces, representing more than 500 years of fashion, history, and artifice, expressed in paper by celebrated contemporary Belgian artist Isabelle de Borchgrave, will be showcased in “Isabelle de Borchgrave: Fashioning Art from Paper” on view October 17 through January 9 in the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute Museum of Art.

Through her expert manipulation of paper and paint, de Borchgrave fashions meticulously detailed reinterpretations of historic garments found in early European paintings and collections from around the world—from the Renaissance finery of the Medici family and gowns worn by Queen Elizabeth I to the creations of the grand courtiers of the 19th and 20th centuries.

De Borchgrave is a painter by training and uses paper and hand painting to reimagine historic fashions to dazzling effect. Her collections have been shown internationally, and Munson-Williams is the only northeast American venue for this extended tour.

”Isabelle’s works have amazed audiences all over the world and we are honored and excited to be able to present these extraordinary works of art for our community,” said Munson-Williams President and CEO Anna D’Ambrosio.

This multimedia exhibition of nearly 100 intricately handcrafted paper artworks—from ornate ball gowns to Renaissance men’s attire to children’s outfits—will relive elements of history including the Italian Renaissance in Florence, the magic of the Ballets Russes (Russian Ballet) in Paris, and the flapper style of the 1920s Jazz Age.

The exhibition is international in scope and includes de Borchgrave’s works that draw inspiration from designs by Léon Bakst (Russian, 1866-1924), Giorgio de Chirico (Italian, 1888-1978), and Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881-1973), as well as her Kaftans series, inspired by the Silk Road textiles of Central Asia. This exhibition is a perfect combination of fashion, history, contemporary art, and dazzling technique.

This exhibition has been organized by Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Memphis, in
cooperation with Isabelle de Borchgrave Studio.