Dress 1935 - 1942

Nancy Crimi's "Dress," of indeterminate date, is rendered in watercolor and graphite on paper. The design presents a curious combination: a jacket, trimmed with what appears to be fur, paired with a light, patterned skirt. Crimi was born in Italy and later immigrated to the United States. In this context, the garment evokes questions about the artist's identity and her negotiation of cultural norms. Is this dress an attempt to reconcile different aesthetic traditions, or a reflection on the artist's shifting sense of self between cultures? Consider the emotional aspect of clothing; the garment is a symbol of personal identity, of belonging and self-expression. Here, Crimi uses it as a space to explore these complex dynamics of cultural identity. The dress exists as both a design and a statement, reflecting the intricacies of adapting to a new world while holding onto elements of one's past.