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‘Opportunity’ by Ellen McKenna - online exhibition

In every stitch and scuff lies an opportunity to reimagine and celebrate preloved fashion. Ellen McKenna transforms second-hand items from Boroondara’s op shops—denim jackets, leather belts, bags, shirts, and shoes—into vibrant works of art. She uses digital and painterly expressions to create bold patterns, which she then hand-applies with a paintbrush, breathing new life into these everyday objects.

McKenna’s distinctive designs embrace colour, movement, and balance, showcasing the beauty and utility of sustainable reuse. This community exhibition encourages audiences to explore their local op shops, embrace creative reuse, and find joy in the vibrant possibilities of preloved clothing and accessories.

Image credit:  Ellen McKenna, detail from ‘Free Fall’, 2024, acrylic on fabric (shirt bought from Salvos, Camberwell), 77 x 160 cm, image courtesy of the artist.   

Photograph of a purple collared shirt. Collar, cuff of sleeves, and pocket are painted with colourful graphic shapes in red, yellow, blue, green and white. On top is a golden tie around the collar, painted with blue diagonal lines.
Ellen McKenna, ‘Purple Shirt and Tie’, 2025, cotton and polyester, 88 x 48 x 1.5 cm, image courtesy of the artist.
A pair of closed-toe green high heels painted with colourful graphic shapes in red, yellow, blue, green and white.
A pair of closed-toe green high heels painted with colourful graphic shapes in red, yellow, blue, green and white.
A blue bag with a shoulder strap. Body of bag is painted with graphic shapes in pink, green, white, blue and yellow.
Ellen McKenna, ‘Blue Bag’, 2025, PVC, 26 x 37 x 14 cm, image courtesy of the artist.
A white sleeveless dress painted with green, blue, red, yellow and purple graphic shapes.
Ellen McKenna, ‘White Dress: Coming Together, 2025, cotton and elastane, 98 x 80 x 2 cm, image courtesy of the artist.
A pair of white loafers on the left and a pair of cream sunglasses on the right. Top of shoes are painted in blue, along with graphic shapes in yellow, purple, pink, and white. Sunglasses frames are painted with purple and blue graphic shapes.
Ellen McKenna, ‘White loafers and cream sunglasses’, 2025, man-made leather and acetate, dimensions variable, image courtesy of the artist.
Back of a pair of white denim pants with a brown belt looped around its waist. End of pants are painted with graphic shapes in green, pink, red and purple.
Ellen McKenna, ‘White Denim Pants’, 2025, denim, 96 x 46 x 2 cm, image courtesy of the artist.

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