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Tanya White

Tanya White

Assistant Professor of Material Practices

Education

  • Bachelor of Design, Ryerson School of Fashion
  • MA Fashion, Ryerson School of Fashion
  • PhD, Glasgow School of Art (Scotland)

Email: twhite@torontomu.ca

Tanya White is an alumnus of the School of Fashion at TMU and has worked in ready-to-wear, bridal, marine canvas and costume design in the GTA. Tanya recently completed a practice-based PhD at Glasgow School of Art with a fashion/textile specialization. Her thesis discusses the co-relation of religious and fashion iconography that idolizes an emaciated body in historical and contemporary media. This study is expressed in experimental cloth and soft wearable sculpture.

  • Practice-based Fashion/Material/Textile Research Methods
  • Experimental Cloth Creation and Wearable Sculpture
  • Body, body image and analysing detrimental messaging in visual media 
  • Fashion as empowering communication for social change
  • Expanding creativity in fashion and materials/textile design

PhD Research

Research Presentation

‘The 6 R’s: inclusive creative methodology for design research.’
International Journal of Art and Design Conference, 2019-1-23, Creating Spaces: Inclusivity, ethics and participation in art and design education. The Glasgow School of Art and Goldsmiths University of London, UK. Single-authored paper presentation. Digital Article publication date TBA

‘Was Jesus the first supermodel? Tracing the emaciated paradigm: the medieval Christ and heroin chic’ 
Creative Communication and Media Academic Conference. 2017-1-15. Centre for Research in Social Sciences and Humanities, Leeds, UK. Single-authored paper presentation. Referred acceptance

Research Exhibition

‘Neither here nor there’
Toronto Metropolitan University FCAD Research Exhibition, 2017-10-30,
Rubix,. Image Arts Commons, Toronto, ON, Canada. Single-authored textile research presentation

‘Sublime Craft’
Fashion and Media Conference, 2017-11,
Drexel University, Westphal College of Media and the Arts, Philadelphia, PA. USA.,
Single-authored Design Presentation

  

Publication

‘Was Jesus the first supermodel? From the medieval Christ to fashion’s heroin chic: the sublime emulation of the emaciated paradigm in secular and religious iconography’
Chapter in an edited volume, Silhouettes of the Soul: Meditations on Fashion, Religion, and Subjectivity

Editors:
Dr Jeanine E. Viau, University of Central Florida; Dr Hans Otto Von Busch, New School
NYC Authored Chapter. Publication date TBA.

‘Embroidered portraiture and the intentional creation of human visibility and value.’  2016. Craft Research, 7(2), pp.247-263. ISSN: 20404689 Online ISSN: 20404697 Authored Article. In press. Double-blind reviewed.

Artistic Output: Performance Costume Design

  • (2018). “Modern Woman in Search of Soul,” Ivanochko et Cie, Danced Alana Elmer, Citadel, Toronto Ontario. Alberta Manitoba. Montreal Quebec.
    https://www.instagram.com/p/BpHrw1OHgHM/ (external link) 
  • (2014-17). “Speak Love,” Ivanochko et Cie, Sasha Ivanochko, Winchester Street Theatre, Toronto, Ontario. Winnipeg Manitoba. Montreal Quebec.
    https://sashaivanochko.wordpress.com/speak-love/ (external link) 
  • (2014). “3/2/1,” Dancemakers, Martin Boulanger, Tonya Livingston, Ami Henderson,
    Dancemakers Centre for Creation, Toronto Ontario.
  • (2011). “Double Bill #2,” Dancemakers, Michael Trent and K.G. Guttman, Canada
    Dance Festival La Nouvelle Scene, Ottawa Ontario. Toronto Ontario.
  • (2009-10). “Fidelity’s Edge,” Susie Burpee Dances, Enwave Theatre, Toronto, Ontario. 
  • (2008-10). “A Mass Become’s Her,” Susie Burpee Dances, The Betty Oliphant Theatre, Toronto, Ontario.
  • (2008). ”Bloodletting and Other Pleasant Things,” Dancemakers, Tony Chong, Dancemakers Centre for Creation Toronto, Ontario. Montreal Quebec.