“For me collaboration has always been important as it generates new inspiration, but I also embrace the new possibilities that emerge when disciplines collide or boundaries are blurred. “ - Gabrielle Kruger
Gabrielle Kruger has never been one for limitations. In her studio, paint is more than pigment; it’s sculpted, woven, collaged, and reimagined beyond the constraints of a canvas. Her work embraces material experimentation, sustainability, and storytelling, making her the perfect artist to collaborate with for this season’s Artist Series. “The layering, folding, and weaving of paint - integral to my artistic approach - already treats the material as if it were a fabric,” she explains. Now, that philosophy extends into the realm of clothing, where movement and texture bring her vision to life in a completely new way.
FIELDS: Your artistic work has garnered attention for its distinctive style and narrative depth. Could you share the guiding philosophy behind your art? How do you approach translating complex ideas into visual form?
Gabrielle Kruger: I’m interested to see how one can test the limits of a material. In my studio, I embrace curiosity by experimenting and playing with the limitless possibilities of my own developed acrylic paint. I see it as a versatile material that can be layered, woven, collaged, or sculpted—allowing me to continually discover new techniques and push beyond the confines of a traditional canvas. I’m also committed to a circular economy in my studio: I reuse all leftover paint scraps so that nothing goes to waste; using paint not only as a flat surface material but also as a building block for collaging and sculpting. My process-oriented approach not only reflects my personal desire to use materials sustainably but also helps me translate my visual ideas into tactile, layered works, where even the smallest remnants of paint can take on new life and open a dialogue for a new work to exist.
Your collaboration with FIELDS brings your artwork into the realm of fashion. What drew you to this partnership, and how does working in fashion differ from your usual artistic mediums?
I’ve long been captivated by the idea of taking paint beyond its traditional boundaries—quite literally off the canvas—and first transformed paint into wearable pieces for my Performance Paintings during a residency at Nirox Foundation in 2019. Creating these ‘Wearable Paintings’ taught me how paint can move and breathe when it’s worn on the body, expanding the artwork’s life in ways a static piece cannot. That same spirit drew me to collaborate with FIELDS; it felt natural to explore how the sculptural qualities of my paint-based practice could inform garment design. For me collaboration has always been important as it generates new inspiration, but I also embrace the new possibilities that emerge when disciplines collide or boundaries are blurred.
FIELDS is known for its thoughtful approach to menswear, emphasising craftsmanship and storytelling. How did your artistic vision align with the brand's ethos, and how did you integrate your narrative into the collection?
My recent body of work is about movement, especially movement in the paint. And thematically about the seasons changing; that gradual change but also the faster tempo of change that we are experiencing nowadays. In a poetic sense, I try to capture the movement of trees and leaves blowing in the wind with the movement of the paint; and then it just becomes about the movement of the paint. There’s a sense of transference, both in terms of the seasons and with the painting process. I almost landscape the painting in how I construct it. It takes the concept of Landscape Painting to a somewhat performative level, so I see it as always in flux. With a fashion collection, the storytelling continues beyond the painting, and beyond the studio. My narrative was woven into the collection’s design through physical textured layers that highlight my fascination with a malleable, shape-shifting medium.
Your work is often deeply personal and introspective. How do you infuse your identity and experiences into a fashion collection that will be worn by others? Does this shift in context alter your creative approach?
Fashion can be used as a mode of expression. When people wear my artwork, they bring their own stories and experiences to it, so it’s not just mine anymore. My process of making is personal, and especially gratifying as I have such an inherent need to create. I’m physically and emotionally engaged in every layer of paint—but the moment the work leaves my studio, it takes on a life of its own. The wearer or audience can interpret it in ways I might never have anticipated and that adds a layer of meaning. That added subjectivity enriches the artwork; rather than losing ownership of the piece, I see it as an invitation for others to enter the conversation, adding their own perspectives and transforming the work’s meaning in the process.
The intersection of art and fashion has a long and storied history, from Dali’s surrealist creations to Basquiat’s influence on streetwear. How do you see your collaboration with FIELDS contributing to this legacy? What role do you think art plays in shaping fashion today?
I like it when boundaries are blurred somewhat and challenging assumptions of what “belongs” in either a gallery or on a body. I think many disciplines like art, fashion, design and craft can and should intersect. It is all modes of creative expression that can explore identity, culture, sustainability and self-expression, etc. In my practice for example I’ve looked at various disciplines and traditions for inspiration, for example the theatre design by artists such as Kentridge and Hockney, fashion collaborations such as Gaetano Pesce and Bottega Veneta or traditional craft techniques of ancient basket-weaving. When we look to other disciplines for inspiration, interesting things happen.
Looking ahead, how do you see the relationship between your art and fashion evolving? Are there particular themes or ideas you’re excited to explore in future collaborations or projects?
I hope to explore new themes and ideas in future collaborations and continue pushing boundaries between art and fashion. I am particularly excited about delving deeper into the notion of movement when it comes to paint as wearable artworks, where the body informs the composition. I am interested in encouraging dialogue between disciplines and creating pieces that resonate on multiple levels, both visually and conceptually or even functionally
Available at our boutiques in V&A Waterfront Cape Town and The Old Biscuit Mill Cape Town, or online at fieldsstore.com.
CREDITS
CAMPAIGN IMAGES: AVRON WILLIAMS AND ANDREA ALBERTYN