Current Issue
VICTORIA
TAFTA’s Geelong FORUM 2012: full details available on the web: www.tafta.org.au This will be the 12th annual Textile FORUM and 18 superb tutors from Australia and overseas will feature, from 23-29 September 2012 at Geelong Grammar School on Corio Bay. The ballot for places was held on 11th December 2011 and these workshops have filled: Alice Kettle, India Flint, Kerr Graboski and Mary Hettmansperger. All other workshops have some spaces at time of creating this ‘News’ but interest is strong so it’s best to enrol quickly. You can use the website, or email tafta@iinet.net.au or ring (07) 3300.6491. List of available workshops:
TERESA DAIR (VIC): Innovative Knitted Accessories
MIYOKO KAWAHITO assisted by Sumi Takamoto (Japan): The Culture of Indigo
VICKI MASON VIC): Jewellery – Alternative Materials
LUNA NEWBY (TAS): Lasted Shoes – that last! (surcharge applies)
HILARY PETERSON (NSW): Dye – Print – Stitch
PHILLIPA ROOKE (QLD): Textures & Extrusions in Felting
AILIE SNOW (N.Z.): Personal Geographics: Book & Box
KATHRYN WALMSLEY (USA): Daydreams in Clay and Cloth
CAROL WILKES (QLD): Impressions in Stitch
and in the special ‘Design Focus Program’:
TONY DYER (VIC): Layered Compositions in Print
JAN IRVINE-NEALIE (NSW): Empowered by the Personal
ANITA LARKIN (NSW): Concepts in Felt
WENDY LUGG (W.A.): Transforming Tradition – New Life for Old Cloth
ANNUAL BEECHWORTH Fabric & Fibre Award 2012: Old Schoolhouse Gallery, 17 Loch Street, Beechworth VIC 3747. Judge: Claudia Chan Shaw. Entries close 31st May 2012. There is an Overall Award worth $1000 plus 4 category awards worth $500 each. The associated exhibition will be held from 10-29 July 2012 in the Old School House Gallery (built 1863), located at 17 Loch Street, Beechworth. This exhibition will run at the same time as the Wangaratta Stitched Up Festival. Entry forms from Sandra Godfrey on (03).5725.1342 or wandanagallery@bigpond.com See www.oldschoolhousegallery.biz to download entry forms.
The NATIONAL WOOL MUSEUM Geelong features the Scarf Festival 2012 from 16 June – 2 September – THE JOURNEY. Scarf makers are invited to explore the theme of ‘The Journey’ and how travel has influenced their lives. Most of these original handcrafted scarves will be for sale plus there will be ‘an inspiring program of craft demonstrations’. Entries close Friday 4 May 2012. For more information and entry forms: www.nwm.vic.gov.au or ring (03) 5272 4701.
A FESTIVAL OF QUILTS is presented by the Begonia Quilters from March 9-12 2012; 10am-5pm daily at the Ballarat Mining Exchange, 6 Lydiard Street North, Ballarat. Admission $5.00.
Artist Statement
LOUISE SAXTON’s exhibition SANCTUARY will be at Heide Museum of Modern Art, Melbourne from 24 Mar - 29 July 2012. “This body of work reinterprets historical paintings of birds and insects in reclaimed needlework, evoking a sense of recollection and potential loss. My work draws on and reinterprets the domestic-art traditions which I was surrounded with growing up - such as knitting, crochet, embroidery and quilting. My practise involves salvaging and reconstructing the detritus of home for art and over the past decade this has included several large installations made from patterned everyday business envelopes; vintage wallpapers and more recently; the disinherited needlework of others. Intricate patterns or large motifs which draw on the decorative arts of both eastern and western cultures seek to transform, as well as reflect on, home-making within a contemporary art context. My current body of work reinterprets natural history and botanical paintings, reflecting the potential loss, of both species within the natural world and traditions within the home.” www.heide.com.au
Sophie Gannon Gallery in Richmond is putting on "Fashion Loves Art Loves Fashion" from 6-17 March: Australian fashion designers collaborating with Australian artists: Romance Was Born and Del Kathryn Barton; Scanlan & Theodore and Nan Goldin; Rittenhouse; Lucas Grogan and Gemma Smith; Josh Goot and John Nicholson; Material By Product and Julia deVille.
The AUSTRALASIAN QUILT CONVENTION takes place in Melbourne at the Royal Exhibition Building from April 12-15 2012. Open daily from 10am-4:3pm. Admission charge applies. More information from (02) 9452.7575 or www.aqc.com.au
Until 10 February 2013 The National Wool Museum Geelong will present its biennial exhibition and acquisitive award ($3000): EXPRESSIONS 2012: The Wool Quilt Prize. Designed to encourage excellent and promote the use of wool in contemporary art quilt making, the exhibition will feature finalists from around Australia in this juried show. To find out mid-year closing dates: www.nwm.vic.gov.au
The first ever NANNY and EWE Fleece & Fibre MUSTER will be held in Echuca, Victoria on Sat/Sun April 21/22. There will be a market, mini-workshops and demonstrations throughout each day (vendor applications open). There will be an attempt to set a new world Record for Most Spinners spinning on their wheels. Please contact Mandie: 0438.824.766 or mandie@ewegivemetheknits.com – or Janet on 0425 777 173 or djknoop1@optusnet.com.au
FLOW AND EDDY, an exhibition of drawings, cast and manipulated hand made paper and photographs on hand made paper by Rosalind Lawson and Lynden Nichols at the Back Space Gallery, Camp Street in Alfred Deakin Square (behind the Ballarat Art Gallery – Lydiard Street): 2-26 February, open 12noon-4pm Thurs-Sun.
TERESA
POLETTI GLOVER
is having a solo exhibition "Distinction
and Dissimilarity"
to be held at the LaTrobe University Visual
Arts Centre Bendigo from 29th February to 25th
March..
The exhibition explores native vegetation surrounding Bendigo and
interprets the distinctive features through contemporary visual art
sculpture. The exhibition opens on the 29th February and runs
to the 25th March. The Visual Art Centre is at 121 View Street,
Bendigo - open Tue to Fri 10am - 5pm, Sat & Sun 12 noon - 5pm
phone 5441 8724. www.latrobe.edu.au/vac
www.feltart.com.au
SENSORIAL
LOOP
the 1st
Tamworth Textile Triennial
will be at RMIT
Gallery
from 10
Feb – 24 March 2012. Then in 2013
it will be at Ararat
Regional Art Gallery
from 15
August – 28 September 2013.
www.tamworthregionalgallery.com.au
RMIT
Gallery invites you to join us for the following public programs
associated with the exhibition
(the following free events explore new directions in
textiles. Bookings essential: 9925 1717.)
New Directions in Textiles Friday 10 February; 10.30 am - 12 pm. Presented by TTT curator Patrick Snelling and Tamworth Regional Director Sandra McMahon with artists; Michele Elliot, Cecilia Heffer and Michelle Hamer. Location - Storey Hall Conference Rooms 1 & 2 (The Green Brain), Level 7, Building 16, 342 Swanston Street. Includes morning tea.
Textile Futures: research and collaboration, teaching and technology. Friday 10 February; from 2.45 pm. Panel members: Patrick Snelling, Dr Juliette Peers, Cecilia Heffer, Emma Byrnes and Leanne Zilka. Location: RMIT University School of Fashion & Textiles, BA Textile Design, Brunswick campus - B514 Auditorium, 25 Dawson Street, Brunswick.Includes afternoon tea.
RMIT Floor talks with contemporary textile artists Thursday 22 March; 2-3.30 pm with Lucy Irvine, Anton Veenstra, Verity Prideaux and Paula Do Prado. Location: RMIT Gallery, 344 Swanston Street. Includes afternoon tea.
SENSORIAL LOOP the 1st Tamworth Textile Triennial will be at Ararat Regional Art Gallery from 15 August – 28 September 2013. www.tamworthregionalgallery.com.au
FLOATING FOREST
– BASKETRY EVENTS AT ARARAT REGIONAL ART GALLERY. Ararat
Regional Art Gallery will present Douglas Fuchs’ monumental
basketry-based fibre installation, ‘Floating Forest’ from
16 February to 1 April 2012, in partnership with the
Powerhouse Museum, Sydney. Douglas Fuchs (1947-86) was an American
basket maker who visited Australia on a Craft Council of Australia
fellowship in 1981-82. His residency at the Jam Factory in
Adelaide in 1981 resulted in the creation and exhibition of his
groundbreaking ‘Floating Forest’ installation, which also
toured to Melbourne and Sydney in 1982. Douglas’ warm and
engaging personality and ambition for a contemporary sculptural
approach to basketry inspired many and profoundly influenced the
character of fibre art in Australia. Ararat Regional Art
Gallery’s 30th anniversary presentation of ‘Floating
Forest’ is accompanied by an extensive series of associated
events including:
· A symposium
on Saturday 31 March 2012 featuring keynote speakers who will
consider the legacy of ‘Floating Forest’ alongside
leading and emerging fibre artists who will discuss their own
practice and consider the future prospects for basketry in Australia.
A full-day program of
fibre craft activities for children presented to coincide with the
symposium.
· Two intensive
weekend workshops presented by leading basket makers, held at the
Allanvale Homestead Shearers’ Quarters in Great Western on 18
& 19 February 2012 and 24 & 25 March 2012
respectively.
· Numerous
associated exhibitions showcasing basketry at Ararat Regional Art
Gallery and at other spaces in Ararat, including solo exhibitions,
baskets from the gallery’s permanent collection and the
‘The Big Basket’ – a collaboration between local
children and basket maker, Cherree Densley. Details for the program
are being finalised and a printed program will be mailed out in
January 2012. To receive information about this program,
please contact the gallery by phone on 03 5352 2836 or email:
wstevens@ararat.vic.gov.au
FELTERNATIVE 2012 the exhibition of work from the Victorian Feltmakers Inc will take place from August 6-26 2012 at Chapel Off Chapel Gallery, 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran Vic 3181. www.vicfelt.org
The VALDA QUICK BIENNIAL PAPER ARTS EXHIBITION EARTHWORKS will be staged by the Papermakers of Victoria in November 2012. The theme reflects the desire of papermakers to embrace environment and place: plant fire sourced from the land and works referencing location and origin. Details to come: www.papermakers.org.au
Basketmakers of Victoria DRIFT Exhibition - as part of the Herring Island Summer Arts Festival. From 4th until 19th February, 2012 – Saturdays and Sundays only from 12 noon until 4.45pm. The Basketmakers of Victoria create an amazing variety of functional and sculptural pieces from plant fibres, such as reeds and prunings, as well as man-made materials and found objects. There will be demonstrations and interactive sessions each day, as well as an opportunity to meet the basket makers. The Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park on the Yarra River is easily reached by the punt from Como landing, adjacent to Alexandra Avenue. It runs on demand between 11am and 5pm. Pensioners, unemployed persons and children under 12 travel free, family fare is $5, or $2 per person. BBQ and picnic facilities in a grand setting. Contact: Jennie Stuart 9857 8318 or 0407 098 022 jmil8619@bigpond.net.au; Tricia McGaughey 9551 3554 tmcgaughey.bov@gmail.com
TEACOSIES WANTED for the 2012 'Teacosy Tales' exhibition at Bundoora Homestead Art Centre, Snake Gulley Drive, Bundoora, being held in 2012 from May 2-27. This is an annual fundraising event for the Cancer Council of Victoria. Works are donated, and sold during the exhibition. In 2011 a total of 401 teacosies were displayed with $6,500 raised. Teacosies must be handmade (knitted, stitched, felted, crocheted etc) and the use of recycled materials is encouraged. Contributions are required by 20 April 2012. Further enquiries to Marg Lanne, Teacosy Organiser, GPO Box 1254, Melbourne 3001 or email pansypatches@yahoo.com.au; phone 0425.765.523. www.bundoorahomestead.com
Moving beyond textiles to arts and crafts - and in line with international trends and developments - ZONEONE Arts will present a range of workshops, lectures and exhibitions. As leaders in the understanding and tuition of contemporary arts and crafts, Zoneone Arts' Deborah Blakeley and Beverley Hocking are partnering to bring guest speakers and tutors from many disciplines of the arts and crafts movement encouraging them to share their processes through lectures and classes. While on a broader pallet bring previously unexhibited artists to Melbourne, including established and emerging artisans from beyond Melbourne. Suitable for all creative artisans and designers, this series will inspire interest, develop skills, and will leave viewers wanting more and more! Featuring an international artist in residence, and eclectic lectures with associated workshops.
Following on from Guess Who's Come to Dinner? exhibition this 2012 international series will inform about what's hot and what's not in the world of contemporary arts.
Talks scheduled by ZONEONE for the first Monday evening of the month, commencing 7pm, at the Uniting Arts Centre, Toorak (Melbourne) and note that bookings are essential (info@zoneonearts.com.au )
6th Feb: CRESSIDE COLLETTE Tapestry Travel Tour
5th March BIC WALKER Author and Illustrator
2nd April HELEN SMITH Arts Guide/NGV
7th May CORRIE ALLEGRO Paper 3D Art
4th June ANGELA BETHERAS 2011 Vic Rural Woman Year
Brighton Victoria: Opening in
March 2012 The Gallery at Bayside
Arts & Cultural Centre will launch an exciting exhibition of 20
works by ANNEMIEKE MEIN titled ‘The
World of Annemieke Mein.’ The
works are on loan from Gippsland Art Gallery (Sale)
and Ararat Regional Art Gallery, as
well as from a private lender. “We are very excited to be
displaying the Freedom samplers from Gippsland Art Gallery alongside
‘Freedom’ which will give viewers a rare opportunity to
view this work from the initial sketches through to the final
artwork…. The quality of craftsmanship evident in Mein’s
works is extraordinary and as such we are thrilled to have such a
large number of her works on exhibition for the public. “
The
Gallery at Bayside Arts & Cultural Centre is located at the
corner of Wilson and
Carpenter Streets, Brighton, Victoria.
Dates: 3 March to 22 April 2012.
Free entry. Opening hours: Wed – Fri 11-5; Sat – Sun 1-5.
OPEN DRAWER
GALLERY:
Opening Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10am – 5.00pm;
Thursday 10am – 7pm. Saturday and Sunday 10am – 4pm;
Closed Tuesdays. The location is 1158
Toorak Road, Camberwell (Hartwell Village) (Mel. Ref 60 C6) .
Ph:
03 9889 7227 info@opendrawer.com.au
www.opendrawer.com.au
A BEANIE AFFAIR: Castlemaine CWA is hosting an
exciting event on May, 25, 26, 27th 2012, called a Beanie
Affair. The event be held at several venues throughout
Castlemaine; the central point will be at the Uniting
Church Hall, next to the Art Gallery in Lytlleton Street. Aims: to
raise awareness of textile workers; to provide a place to sell wares
(including one-off item); to promote the wool industry; to show the
benefit of knitting to general wellbeing. There will be workshops
for men, children and others. Classes from Beginners through to
Master Classes. And there will be Knitting Lounges around town.
Easy Access by train
from Melbourne: V-Line operates a good service and the station
is very close to the main venue. Knitting on the train is
encouraged! Contact: beanieaffair@hotmail.com
- Castlemaine CWA Secretary: 5470 6497. P.O. Box 19,
Castlemaine. 3450 or on Facebook. Castlemaine CWA.
THE AUSTRALIAN SHEEP & WOOL
SHOW BENDIGO will be held from 20-22
July 2012 with entries
due by 15th
June 2012 latest. Contact the
Secretary ASBA, PO Box 219, Bendigo VIC 3551. Email:
aternouth@bigpond.net.au
Web: www.sheepshow.com
Coming up at Leongatha: LIBERATED BOOKS Artists’ Book event and competition, being held in September 2012. A Major Award of $1000 will be presented, plus a South Gippsland residents; award of $500 and a Leongatha Gallery Members’ award of $250. Entries close 1st June 2012. Email for entry form: lacs@live.com.au or write to the Artists’ Book Competition, Leongatha Gallery, PO Box 266, Leongatha VIC 3953.
BENDIGO ART GALLERY is hosting Michael O’Connell: The Lost Modernist until February 19 2012. This exhibition features many of his iconic textile designs and is supported by an excellent book/catalogue written by Harriet Edquist and published by Melbourne Books. www.bendigoartgallery.com.au
BUDA CONTEMPORARY TEXTILES AWARD EXHIBITION. To enter the Award: textiles@budacastlemaine.org or 03 5472 1032 Dates are June 2-17 2012 and there are two main Categories: Inspired by BUDA and GOLD. Overall prize is $1000; First in each category is $500. Runner Up $250. Buda Historic Home & Garden is at 42 Hunter Street, Castlemaine VIC 3450.www.budacastlemaine.org
THE JOHNSTON COLLECTION: ‘a hidden treasure, a jewel in the heart of Melbourne.’ Offered: tours, exhibitions and a lecture program; also a reference library at Fairhall the residence of the late William Johnston. Three guided tours daily, Monday to Friday. Phone (03) 9416.2515 E: wrjohnston@bipgond.com www.johnstoncollection.org The Johnston Collection is located in East Melbourne. Bookings essential (03) 9416 2515. Visitors collected by courtesy bus from the Hilton on the Park Hotel in East Melbourne. Be sure to enquire about their excellent speaker program. Address: PO Box 79, East Melbourne 8002. wrjohnston@bigpond.com www.johnstoncollection.org
The BEAUTIFUL SILKS “Faculty of Advanced Textile Knowledge and Wisdom”, based at 101 Victoria St, Fitzroy, ph: 03 9419 7745 is offering a diverse range of textile workshops – for constantly updated information see the link to their programme for 2011: http://www.workshops.beautifulsilks.com/index.html NATURAL DYE SYMPOSIUM at Beautiful Silks, NATURE’S COLOURS IN THE CITY June 17 – July 11 2012. A Southern Hemisphere follow-up to both ISEND2011 (France) and the UNESCO Natural Dye conference in Hyderabad 2006. Exhibitions and seminars, museum visits, a range of workshops and tours of natural places in the city. Included: Exhibition of natural dyed scarves; one-day scarf workshop with India Flint; one-day fabric dye workshop with India Flint; Live exhibition collaboration, Julian Roberts and India Flint; meeting of artisans from far and near. The Natural dye symposium workshops are now appearing on the schedule, please go to the website and register your interest to get full information. http://www.beautifulsilks.com
Workshops coming up at Beautiful Silks:
2012:
Crochet for Beginners with Penny O’Neill Saturday 11th February 1-4pm
Talisman Dress with India Flint, 8-12 March.
Felt, Design and Wear a Scarf with SooMee Kim, 17th March.
Felt, Design and Wear a Waistcoat with SooMee Kim. 18-19 March.
Introduction to Freeform Knitting and Crochet, Prudence Mapstone, 10th April.
Colour Creativity Design Silk! with David Higgins, 19/20 April.
To
make sure your place has been secured
either a 50% deposit or the full amount of the workshop needs to be
paid either by credit card or direct deposit into our bank account.
If you direct deposit a receipt with your name attached must be sent
to info@beautifulsilks.com
so we know the payment has been made and we can send you the relevant
materials lists immediately.
http://www.workshops.beautifulsilks.com/index.html
PLANT CRAFT COTTAGE: The Cottage is a heritage listed
building in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne. The Plant Craft
Cottage (near H Gate of the Royal Botanic Gardens) is open to the
public, Mon-Fri from 10am-3pm daily (closed on public holidays),
also the third Sunday of each month. New members are
always welcome. Phone (03) 9650.3235. Sunday open days: The cottage
is open on the 3rd Sunday of each month for visitors to come and see
the lovely building, craft displays and shop. Children’s
programmes operate in the school holidays. There are craft
demonstrations most Tuesdays throughout the year.
Indigo go to whoa: how to make an indigo vat, store it, revive it and use it to explore new and old shibori techniques. Natural Dye Group, Plant Craft Cottage, Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne. A two day workshop, Saturday 18 and Saturday 25 February, 2012. 9.30am – 3.00pm. All materials supplied. Cost $140. Enquiries: Pam Borchardt, phone 03 9859 4880, email pamborch@melbpc.org.au; Glenys Clissold, phone 03 9578 7419, email alanc@hotkey.net.au.
