Sebastian

Author/Artist Name

Sebastian ByarsFollow

Files

Academic Level at Time of Creation

Senior

Date of Creation

Fall 11-15-2024

Artist Statement

The name "Sebastian" reflects my journey and process throughout my show. Growing up in small-town Paris, TN, my passion for fashion felt out of place. During college, I faced mental health struggles, and thrifting became my escape, sparking a love for clothing history. I now enjoy sewing and reworking both modern and vintage pieces, focusing on creativity and discovery over intention. Often, I ask myself, “What can I create from what I already have or want to discover?”

My work combines model and product photography, sculptural garment displays, and branding rooted in my work. Blending workwear with editorial aesthetics, I aim for a cohesive look that highlights texture and grunge, capturing the feel of small-town Paris, TN. Using orange as my brand color honors the Tennessee Volunteers and the working-class spirit I am surrounded by daily.

Kanye West is a major source of inspiration for me. While he is not a graphic designer or hands-on clothing maker, I admire his vision for Yeezy. His photo-heavy, minimal-typography style, especially seen in the 2017 Calabasas collection, has strongly influenced my design choices for this show.

Virgil Abloh is another designer I admire. Originally a civil engineering and architecture major, he shifted from building structures to shaping fashion, showing that even if you are deep in one field, there are countless ways to blend new media with your current skills. His journey reminds me of the value of stepping out of your comfort zone and combining the familiar with the fresh.

Advisor/Mentor

Gregory Scott Cook; Jim Bryant; Jessica Fife; Sarah Martin; Mike Martin

Description

Throughout my branding, I wanted to focus on the true aesthetic and setting of my hometown Paris, highlighting the textures, the garments that I sewed (thrifted clothing), and photography. Using the skills from my graphic design experience while here at Murray State was the consistency that I wanted to incorporate into my work as well. I have a huge passion for all these media, and showcasing that ability was ecstatic.

Photo Credit

All photos by artist.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Byars, Sebastian, "Sebastian" (2024). B.F.A. Practicum Exhibition (ART 498). 143.
https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/art498/143