Sustainability, Slavery, and Jeans: Why This Artist Only Works With Blue Denim

★ Order Ian Berry’s book of art, Splendid Isolation: ★ Follow Ian Berry on Instagram: ★ Learn more about his art: ★ A longer interview in the article: When I was in London, I had the good fortune of meeting Ian Berry, an artist who exclusively works with blue jeans. In a wide ranging discussion, he broke down his fascination with this material as a varying symbol of rebellion, the working class, high fashion, slavery, freedom, capitalism, and community. 00:00 Why work with jeans? 01:08 Where do the jeans come from? 01:40 Denim and Democracy 03:10 Denim, Community, and Urbanity 03:55 The Problems With Sustainable Denim 05:45 Clothes as an Artform 06:57 Denim, African Americans, and Slavery 09:49 The Surprising Elements of Ian’s Art