Disappearing Act by Lisa Wood. All Rights Reserved. “Disappearing Act” represents the iconic Queensland rainforest Strangler Fig tree and symbolizes the loss of seventy-five percent of Queensland rainforests, which is ‘strangling’ our native species.

Startling statistics (one use plastic bag takes up to 1,000 years to break down into tiny pieces that can still pollute; plastic bottles take 700 years before they begin to decompose; and ten species were threatened with extinction in my local area alone) inspired this wearable art piece, to highlight and educate about the demise of rainforest species.

One centimeter separated lines were sewn on doubled bags, creating the texture of the fig tree, before cutting the design could even begin!  Over 200 plastic bags (and much embarrassment explaining to friends and relatives the purpose for collecting them) were embroidered, sewed, pleated, stuffed, fused and painted for the dress and its underskirt.