/Mark Zieff
@markzieffart
Mark Zieff
Drained
Inspired by: Robert Adams, Bulldozed Slash Evelyn Rydz, Gulf Pile
charcoal on Canson paper
24″ x 18″
2023
“Drained” was inspired by the photograph Bulldozed Slash, Tillamook County, Oregon by Robert Adams and by the drawing Gulf Pile by Evelyn Rydz and explores the lasting impact of fast fashion on low wage workers and the environment. Fast fashion garments are stylish, low-quality, mass-produced clothes. They appeal to shoppers because they are trendy and inexpensive and can be easily discarded when no longer in fashion. There are though some very real workplace safety and environmental costs associated with fast fashion. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions are attributable to the clothing industry. Many of the dyes and chemicals used to color and set fabrics are highly toxic, both to workers and the surrounding natural environment. And, according to the EPA, over 17 million tons of textile waste are generated each year of which only 2.5 million tons were recycled.
@markzieffart
Mark Zieff
The Champions
colored pencil on watercolor wash
15″ x 22″
2024
I’ve always been interested in older, everyday household objects – the well-used, worn and imperfect. Though small and ordinary, they are a quiet reminder that the true meaning and richness of life still comes from the simple and mundane activities of everyday living. Our relationship with clothing is among the most intimate, complex and unique of all man-made objects. Many of the clothes in these drawings are my own and I use my artwork as a way to explore my own connections with the past.
@markzieffart
Mark Zieff
You Can Talk Until You Are Blue In The Face
colored pencil on Canson paper
24″ x 18″
2021
I have always been fascinated with old, manufactured objects – the well-worn and imperfect. These objects are a link with the past, our human past. Though ordinary, they are a quiet reminder that the true meaning and richness of life still comes from the simple and mundane activities of everyday living. More recently I have begun to focus on our relationships with clothing – it is the most complex and unique among manufactured objects. Many of the clothes in my drawings are my own and I use my artwork as a way to explore my own connections with the past.
@markzieffart
Mark Zieff
Washed Out, Washed Up
colored pencil on Canson papaer
24″ x 18″
2022
“Washed out, washed up”, is part of a continuing series of drawings that explores the lasting social and environmental impact of fast fashion clothing. Though low cost, these garments come with a very heavy price tag. Fashion clothing accounts for 10% of all greenhouse gases. It also consumes one tenth of all the water used to run and clean factories – it takes 1800 gallons of water to make one pair of jeans. And, many of the chemicals used to make these garments can not be treated and are left to accumulate in open pools in countries without strict environmental regulations.
@markzieffart