May 2 – June 14, 2025
The Fitting Room
The Art Incubator Gallery
Opening Reception for Members and Guests: Friday May 2nd, 7 -10 pm
Free admission
Over the past 2 years, Deirdre McCleneghan has explored themes of women in myth, fairy tales and gothic narratives with the construction of a series of original apron designs using her skills as painter and printmaker, designer, and seamstress.
With the design, drafting and construction of the aprons, Deirdre explored the relationship between garment and body and translating a 2D design into a 3D garment. Deirdre McCleneghan’s installation, The Fitting Room is the culmination of the project in which she invites the participation of the public in interacting with the aprons physically – touching, selecting, and trying on the items, documenting their favourites, sharing on social media.
Artist’s Biography
Deirdre McCleneghan (b. 1964 Galt, Ontario) is an Edmonton based interdisciplinary artist who completed her BFA at the University of Alberta. Deirdre is inspired by the work of the early Surrealists, who combined fine art with fashion, design and performance.
Deirdre’s practice includes her love of drawing and working on paper. She enjoys the immediacy, physicality, and experimental nature of drawing that connects body and mind. The subconscious role of drawing to the mind’s eye, dreams, and the body continues to inform her practice, and connect her to movements in popular culture, history, art history, and psychology.
Deirdre’s work continues to explore themes and motifs including fashion, the body, identity, narrative and play. She aims to connect with a broader audience with bigger projects including installation. Deirdre’s work incorporates a love of surreal narrative, the Gothic tale, and body politics through a postmodern feminist lens.
Deirdre was a recipient of an Equity & Access in the Arts award from the Edmonton Arts Council in 2021 and 2023.
The Fitting Room is supported by the Edmonton Arts Council and the City of Edmonton.
Top Image: Medusa Apron, acrylic on cotton muslin, size small
Photo courtesy of the artist
Presenting Partner:
