Art T is on show at the Stratford Courthouse Gallery 21-30 May 2010.

Gallery owner Anna Roberts gave us the lowdown on the humble T-shirt.

The T- shirt evolved from undergarments used in the 19th century. They were originally popular in the United States as part of the US Navy uniform. Named the T shirt due to the shape of the garment’s outline, they soon became popular as a bottom layer of clothing for workers in various other industries.

Following World War II the t shirt became increasingly popular as an outer-wear garment especially after Marlon Brando wore one in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’

The T shirt was easily fitted, easily cleaned and inexpensive and for this reason, it became the shirt of choice for young boys (perhaps more the choice of their mothers than of the boys themselves) They were made in various colours and patterns and it was about this time that Charlie Brown appeared on screen with his distinctive zigzag t shirt.

T Shirts have become a medium for self expression and advertising, with any imaginable combination of words, and art. The political and social statements that T shirts often display have become one of the reasons that they have so deeply permeated different levels of culture and society.

Various trends have influenced the t shirt such as tie dye, screen printing, and thermo chromatic dyes. There has also been physical variations to the t shirt, producing - tank tops, muscle shirts and v neck t shirts.

Today every person regardless of their sex, race or economic status owns a t shirt, and there are countless websites on which you can produce a t-shirt with your own individual flair.

You can see Anna's collection in May - or make your own on Sunday 23 May at the Courthouse Gallery.