Although the use of paper was a new challenge for Svenja, the use of silk paper, along with a variety of paper manipulation techniques, provided the bridge to create Lichen Morphology. 'In many ways, it is a work deeply connected to my ongoing art practice, as well as being a new extension of it,' says Svenja. The lino-print used on the undergarment was initially cut or the Morphology II exhibition (2011), whilst the wire armature has been re-purposed from a wearable art garment of 2014.

Svenja has covered the armature in papier-mache which she has then painted to create the look of aged wood. Silk paper 'lichen' were created by wetting and ironing undyed gummy silk cocoon strippings, which were then crinkle-ironed for texture. These were then coloured with shimmering inks, with further texture created with free motion embroidery using hand-dyed crochet cotton. Dyed and painted pieces of silk cocoons create the cupola shapes found in the centre of many lichen.

Materials: Wire, lace, tulle, papier-mache, acrylic paint, silk paper, silk cocoon stripping, shimmer inks, crochet cotton, paper string, glitz yarn, lycra.

Winner - Burnie Arts Council 2018 Betta Milk Major Award.

Although a first-time entrant in 'paper on skin' Svenja has had considerable success in other notable wearable art awards. She is a self-confesssed World of WearableArt® 'addict', having had twelve garments accepted into the iconic New Zealand competition and show. From these, eight have been exhibited at World of WearableArt® Museum, with three permanently remaining in the Museum Collection.

At Wearable Art Mandurah last year Svenja took home the 'First Time Entrant' award for Anthozoa.