Local artist’s costumes emulate cherished characters in mini-exhibition

January 3, 2020

Prepare for non-human subjects to come alive during a mini-exhibition at Richland Library, and no, your eyes are not playing tricks on you. Gijinka goes on display Friday, January 3 in the Community Gallery at our Main location (1431 Assembly Street).

The mini-exhibition features several pieces from former Artist-in-Residence (AiR) Margaret “Markie” Gaddis. She outfits the trend of Gijinka by creating human-like characters, which are based on non-human subjects. These subjects can range from inanimate objects and animals to brands or concepts.

Some of the materials that make up the costumes include EVA foam, resin, feathers, fairy lights, yarn, faux fur, foam clay, fabric and wig fibers. They come together to form the characters of Articuno (Pokémon), Team Mystic (Pokémon GO), Meeko (Disney’s Pocahontas) and The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Eric Carle).

A South Carolina native, Markie is an artist, maker and costume designer. She has a particular passion for cosplay, anime and recreating movie characters. More recently, after attending an anime convention, Markie specializes in costume details, such as sculpting armor and using LED lights to create beautiful, intricate pieces.

Gijinka runs through February 15.

For questions, please contact Emily Stoll at 803-587-3637 or email [email protected].

 

About Richland Library

Awarded the National Medal in 2017 by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Richland Library is a vibrant, contemporary organization that provides resources and information that advance the Midlands. Offering state-of-the-art technology, a variety of literary and cultural programs and 13 bustling facilities located throughout the county, Richland Library provides a truly customizable, modern library experience for residents and visitors alike.