What role does abstraction play in critiquing fast fashion via sculpture?

Abstraction in sculpture serves as a powerful tool to critique fast fashion by distilling complex issues like overconsumption, waste, and environmental harm into visceral, thought-provoking forms. Unlike literal representations, abstract art invites viewers to engage emotionally and intellectually, often using fragmented shapes, distorted figures, or repurposed materials to mirror the disjointed ethics of disposable clothing culture. Artists may employ melted textiles, rusted metal, or unstable structures to symbolize the fragility and toxicity of fast fashion’s lifecycle. By stripping away realism, abstraction forces audiences to confront uncomfortable truths about their consumption habits, making the invisible consequences of fashion waste undeniably tangible. This artistic approach not only challenges viewers but also reimagines activism, turning galleries into spaces of reflection and resistance.