Women with Clever Hands, Object Gallery, Sydney.

Image: Object Gallery Twitter Feed

Image: Julieanne Gitjpulu Malibirr, Looped string mat, 

Photo: Leise Knowles

Object Gallery Website

This morning I went along to the Women with Clever Hands demonstration and talk at Sydney's Object Gallery. This is an exhibition of fibre work celebrating the creativity and skill of the artists of Gapuwiyak. Animals, bags, necklaces, mats and baskets of beauty that are woven, looped, twined and coiled are displayed for us to see the stories of these women. The stories of their families, their community, their bodies and their history.

I mentioned in the last post that I've been thinking long and hard about story and narrative forming a concept for creative designing and making. Looking closer at the information about each piece in the exhibition you can see that each is named accordingly:

"String Bag Story"

"Close Coiling Story"

"Past Times Story"

"Working Together Story"

Every aspect of this work literally weaves stories into the pandanus, along with sacred feathers and seeds. Chatter and talk, demonstration participation and observation. This is what the gallery floor became when we were invited to participate in the making process. The value of story resonates through the room.

Louise Hamby and Lucy Malirrimurruwuy Wanapuyngu curated the exhibition with the help of their fellow sisters. Many of the pieces honour and remember those who have now passed away. 

Women with Clever Hands: Gapuwiyak Miyalkurruwurr Gong Djambatjmala

Object Gallery

417 Bourke St Surry Hills NSW

Tuesday - Friday 11am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 5pm

31 March - 9 June 2012

Gaawaa Miyay: Lucy Simpson, Textile Designer

I've been talking to my design students this week about developing concepts for textile design. What is a concept? What is the purpose of a concept? Where does a concept come from?

Concept is a mysterious notion - I see it as the idea that holds the design process together. It's the starting, middle and end point. It keeps you on track and allows you to communicate your ideas creatively. It may be a few different ideas joined like a dot-to-dot puzzle. It could be a piece of inspiring music. Sometimes it is a story.

Lucy Simpson, creator of beautiful textiles that make up Gaawaa Miyay (River Daughter), is an expert at visual story telling. Each of her designs respond to memories of storytelling, people and places. She draws from her ties to the Yuwaalaraay country of Northern NSW and interprets her connection through visual narration.


Next week Lucy is holding an Open Studio Night at Addison Road Gallery, Marrickville. If you are in the area I'm sure she'd like to see you there.


In the mean time you can look to these sites:


Gaawaa Miyay
An Interview with Lucy by Craft Australia
Lucy's Collaboration with Julie Patterson at Cloth.

Image Credits: Lucy Simpson & I Ran the Wrong Way

For rainy days in Sydney...

Tuning into Folk Radio UK (Frukie) is the ideal background music. I like to stay local with most things, but when the climate becomes something resembling Britain if you can't beat 'em, join 'em I say!

Check what's playing now here. Lots of James Vincent McMorrow and other acoustic people.

Speaking of the weather, my thoughts are going out to all the flood effected towns. My grandparents are in Griffith where the town is suffering quite badly. They are safe in their home a little up the very low hill, but it makes me worry about all the senior citizens who might not have very good health. Keep safe!

Sublimation Printing

A trip into sublimation printing - also known as heat transfer printing.
Polysol dyes do the trick... find out more here.

Kinfolk: I like to read this

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Dear Beattie...

Dear Beattie,

After some years of wearing one of your dresses, reading your blog and following you on Instagrm I had the lovely pleasure of meeting you and Gladys yesterday at your shop.

It was so nice to chat to you about your journey as a designer. It takes an ocean-full of fearlessness to produce work from the heart and then hang them out for people to consider & critique.

I liked your stories of trips to the South Coast, learning how to spend time creating and entertaining yourself without the distractions of the television. What a great way to begin learning about resourcefulness and inventiveness.

Your approach to local design and the importance of daily rituals within your community speak miles about where you draw your inspiration and support from. So important as a solo designer!

I've thought a little bit about our chat yesterday and wanted to let you know it made a radiant impact. Thank you for being so happy to talk.

Have a lovely week!
xEmma

Places to find Beattie:
Website
Blog
SHOP | 182 SYDNEY ROAD, FAIRLIGHT, 2094 NSW AUSTRALIA
P | 02 9948 9557
E | HELLO@BEATTIELANSER.COM

All Images: Beattie Lanser

Photo A Day February

Thank you Chantelle (FatMumSlim) for the Feb Photo A Day Challenge!
Here are some of my pictures from the month... a nice way to remember it.

It's not to late to join the March Photo A Day - you'll have lots of fun.

If you'd like to see more of my Instagram-ing search for @feelingfuzzier on your Instagram app. I also post them to my Flickr account :)