Alex Falkiner: Textile Maker and Colour Connoisseur

If you are in Sydney in the coming weeks and require an injection of joyful colour and texture, I prescribe a visit to any of these exhibitions or workshops Alex Falkiner (aka Alfaky) is involved in. Or if in need of a quick top up, go over to her website and Instagram feed as soon as possible!

Alex Falkiner's felt, crochet & grosgrain necklaces. Photo by A. Falkiner.

Alex Falkiner's studio and baskets. Photo by A. Falkiner.

Alex Falkiner's rope and felt necklaces. Photo by A. Falkiner.

Alex Falkiner's Baskets. Photo by A. Falkiner.

Prescriptions can be filled here:

 

The Curio Collectors Cabinent, Gaffa Gallery
281 Clarence St, Sydney, NSW
7th - 18 March 2013

Knit | Knot | Weave, Gallery Lane Cove
164 Longueville Rd, Lane Cove, NSW
4th March - 1st April 2013
* A few of my talented friends - Paula do Prado and Brook Morgan are also in this show!

Workshop: Knot and Twist: Fabric Necklace Creations with Alex at
85 Dunning Ave, Rosebery NSW
Saturday 6th April

 

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