For many people, denim is a timeless fabric that never goes out of style. For British artist Ian Berry, denim is a medium that brings out his creative vision the best.
Berry is a world-renowned artist who creates captivating artworks, ranging from portraits to scenes of everyday urban life, using denim. At first, his works seem like elaborate blue paintings, but once approached closer, their true nature is revealed; every “brushstroke” is actually a piece of denim carefully placed on the surface.
Berry’s venture into making art with denim was influenced by street art he was exposed to in London in the 2000s. He initially started working with jeans as a side gig and got the idea to use the discarded denim to create an art piece after being in the company of artists using unusual materials.
The fascinating thing about Berry’s creations is that they are only made with the use of denim, scissors, and glue. He uses the pieces he has at his disposal and doesn’t incorporate any other material into his creative process, like bleach, paints, or dyes.
After more than 15 years working with denim, Berry became one of the most celebrated textile artists around. His works have been displayed in art galleries, museums, and public spaces across the world while finding their place in several public and private collections.
