Supported by a collaboration with clinical psychologist Dr. Hermina Hernaiz ‘Locus of the Dress’ explores the construction of the ‘self’ through a textile investigation of Julian Rotter’s psychological theory ‘Locus of Control’ by analysing and identifying characteristics of the internal and external landscapes of a dress, its zones of psychogeography.

The project presents a new paradigm of Rotter’s theory, establishing two landscapes of the dress form (external surface, outward facing, projection to, reflection of, the world and internal surface, an intimate space, receptacle for private reflections), played out through a series of repetitive drawings and photographs, resulting in an innovative body of textile based mixed-media artefacts presented in a fine art context.

Two locations represent the ‘dress’ landscapes, poles of the theory. Firstly, Ohio, USA, focusing on the 1974 Tornado ‘Super-Outbreak’ documented through heavy graphite drawing. The second, the sublime tidal sea-pools of the Thanetian Coast, photographically fused to the inside surface of the ‘dress’.

Goldsmith’s work is distinctive in presenting a psychological theory, an opportunity for self-reflection (access to psychological knowledge) and emotional growth though new textile expression. Extensive experimentation in dye-sublimation has yielded new insights and material insights. What new understanding arises from exploring psychology through contemporary textiles practice, clothing as a receptacle and communicator of our sense of self and the dress as a place we inhabit, physically and psychologically?

Goldsmith was invited to present this work in a seminar at the Tate Modern. The research is documented in two publications/essays (1) Goldsmith/Dr. Herminia Hernaiz, (2) Dr. Victoria Kelley. The work has been curated in international exhibitions, Axis Contemporary online exhibition and published. In 2019 it was shortlisted for the inaugural Vlieseline Fine Art Textiles Award and to coincide with the Turner Prize at Turner Contemporary, the solo exhibition ‘Dresses for Giants’, is presented in Thanet Oct 19.