WAFTA
supporting and advocating Western Australian fibre and textile practice
Events
WAFTA aims to hold an event for its members every month - monthly general meetings
with an invited guest speaker and demonstration or participatory activity, site or studio visits
and occasional workshops - usually high profile international tutors. WAFTA is also
involved in the local community day held at the Alexander Park Craft House and the August craft fair at the Claremont
Showgrounds. Many WAFTA members attend local textile exhibitions, workshops
and display their work in exhibitions.
A sample of past and future Western Australian events are listed below, but many
more are advertised in the WAFTA newsletter!
New for 2009...
Judith Forrest and
Susan Hayes
Alexander Park Craft House, Clyde St, Menora
November 17 2009, 7:00pm
start
$2 members, $5 non-members at the door
Judith Forrest has a long history in visual art education during which she has taught textiles (Newcastle University), Design, Drawing, Sculpture & painting. Since 2000 she has made her living by producing public art. She has always been interested in textiles and her travels in West Africa in the 1970’s started an enduring fascination with the bright and dramatic wax prints that form the basis of a traditional African woman’s wardrobe. Her collection of these fabrics centres on those which depict the household objects many Africans desire. In addition Judith has inherited a beautiful collection of over a 100 bright and delicate silk handkerchiefs some of which date back to the 1920’s. Many of the bold designs on these tiny scraps predate the abstract artworks they resemble. Her presentation to WAFTA will be a chance to enjoy the stunning work of forgotten and unrecognised textile designers.
Dr Susan Hayes is a researcher at UWA, specialising in analysing the anatomical shapes of the face, the soft tissues and the skull. Trained, and published, in facial reconstruction, Sue teaches aspects of both the 2D (drawing) and 3D (sculpting) method to artists, academics and applied forensic specialists. Sue, however, started her career in textiles, completing an MFA in textile sculpture in 2002. Not altogether surprisingly, her MFA sculptures were of the head and face.
Joyce Tasma
Alexander Park Craft House, Clyde St, Menora
October 20 2009, 7:00pm
start
$2 members, $5 non-members at the door
Joyce says:
Over the
years of developing my craft I have felt the ability to share my love and
connection with this land through the medium of basketry and sculpture. I began
this journey surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the
Exmouth Gulf, Ningaloo Reef and Cape Range National Park when I lived in Exmouth and many of my works continue to explore
this area.
With natural and found fibres and objects I have drawn on the
landscape of Western Australia, the emotional connection one has to the environment for inspiration and the
journey of the fibres I have found in the environment to tell the stories of the
land. Often taking an 'aerial' perspective and/or 'horizon' view... my works are often descriptive and textured
to reflect the landscape, emotion or political statement I am trying to project.
Since returning to Perth after 8 years in the North West
I have had several solo and group exhibitions. Most of my time is spent
conducting workshops with community groups including many with special needs to
give them an opportunity to express their creativity and showcase their works to
the broader community. The materials I use and the techniques I teach are very basic but invite an appreciation of what
is around us and within us. Many of my workshops have had a healing and
belonging theme as we work on group projects as well as individual works.
My presentation will be about my journey and how I use my works to
express myself and in turn help others to express themselves through the medium
of art. We will do a simple technique of Tetami and you need to bring a length of rope or similar no less than 1 metre in
length. Other materials will be provided.
Chunghie Lee
Alexander Park Craft House, Clyde St, Menora
Workshop 1: October 7-8 2009
Workshop 2: October 10-11 2009
One workshop is
$150 WAFTA members, bookings essential, by August 31st 2009
(bookings from non-members taken after August 31st 2009)
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Ken Smith
Alexander Park Craft House, Clyde St, Menora
AGM, September 15 2009, 7:00pm
start
$2 members, $5 non-members at the door
Faces and Figures in machine Embroidery
www.bennett-smith.com
Ruth de Vos
Alexander Park Craft House, Clyde St, Menora
August 18 2009, 7:00pm
start
$2 members, $5 non-members at the door
Ruth says:
My art flows from my passion for God's creation and from my ever-increasing awareness of the glory of God, as it is evident in His design, creation and preservation of the natural world. My studies in zoology and environmental engineering provide me with a good technical background for the works I do.How everything works and fits together - the "laws of nature", the interrelationships between animals, and plants and animals, and the God-given role of man in the natural world all inspire me to further explore new ideas and designs.
Through my work I find I become even more
aware of the beauty of nature, especially in the small details, such as the
veins that produce pattern and texture on a eucalyptus leaf, and the huge
variety of colour to be found on a single gum tree.At another level, I love the challenge of pushing my sewing machine and my various materials to their limits. What range of effects can I produce with my machine? How far can I extend my available range of materials and techniques?
Each work leads me to a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the greatness of my God, the Creator. I hope that those who view my quilts may have a similar experience.
Recent Exhibitions
2009 Quilt National
2008 Eucalypts in Focus - solo exhibition, Central TAFE Showcase Gallery, WA
2008 Best of Australia, Australasian Quilt Convention
2008 Australia Wide
2008 Minnawarra Art Award 2008
2008 Stitched and Bound 2008
2008 Expressions 2008 - The Wool Quilt Prize
2008 Dare to Differ 2008
2006 Best of the Best - Australasian Quilt Convention 2006
Art to Wear - Innovative Textiles: The Next Generation
Organised and Hosted by Jennie Abbott
Sponsored by WAFTA and others
WA Craft, Quilt and Stitch Show
Claremont Showgrounds
July 31 - August 2 2009
The annual Art to Wear display was a huge success and this year there were 44 entrants from 5 schools - the presentation just grows and grows each year. The quality and finish of all the work continues to impress and prizes were awarded as per the list below. Once again the display was only possible due to the support of all the teachers and sponsors - couldn't do it without you so a huge THANK YOU!
Prizes:
BEST IN SHOW:
Sewing machine presented by Wendy Gager's Janome Sewing Centres
"ROSETTA RUFFLES" LOUISE BAILEY, Yr 12, Penrhos College
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
Book 'Stitching the Textured Surface' by Lynda Monk & Carol Mcfee presented by Mareene
Atkin, True Blue Exhibitions
"FLEUR" LAUREN MENAGE, Yr 12, Penrhos College
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
Book 'Stitching the Textured Surface' by Lynda Monk & Carol Mcfee presented by Mareene
Atkin, True Blue Exhibitions
"WAR OF THE WORLDS" PARIS FONTANA, Yr 12, Santa Maria College
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
Mixed Embroidery Threads & Other Goodies presented by Dale Rollerson, The Thread Studio
"BIRDS TAKE FLIGHT" EMILY PENDLEBURY, Yr 12, St Marys Anglican Girls' School
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
Book 'Stitching the Textured Surface' by Lynda Monk & Carol Mcfee presented
by HM Designs : Helen Jones & Margaret Perkins
"PEARLS OF WISDOM" DIMITY SIEMER, Yr 12, Perth College
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
Book 'Stitching the Textured Surface' by Lynda Monk & Carol Mcfee presented by WAFTA
"AMAZONIA" MAEGAN DU SILVA, Yr 12, St Brigids College
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
Book 'Stitching the Textured Surface' by Lynda Monk & Carol Mcfee presented by 84 Group - Contemporary Textiles
"WE DON'T WANT TO EAT YOUR CAKE" EMA GOSNELL, Yr 12, St Brigids College
PLAY DAY / WORKSHOPS WITH JENNIE ABBOTT, AWARDED TO:
Louise Bailey & Lauren Menage: Penrhos College
Emily Pendlebury, Isabelle Davidson & Laura Gregory: St Marys AGS
Dimity Siemer & Lola Shepard: Perth College
Maegan Du Silva & Ema Gosnell: St Brigids College
Paris Fontana : Santa Maria College
Katrina Virgona
Alexander Park Craft House, Clyde St, Menora
July 21 2009, 7:00pm
start
$2 members, $5 non-members at the door
Katrina Virgona was born in
Cairns, North Queensland and spent her school years growing up between
Queensland, Fiji and New South Wales. She graduated from the University of New
England, NSW in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology). She then travelled
and worked her way around Australia spending a lot of time in North Queensland
and the Northern Territory. She arrived in Perth at the end of 1984.
In 1992 she completed an Associate Diploma in Visual Arts
Management at CMC TAFE Perth and in 1993 published a book of poetry “The Unknown
Passenger” illustrated by Western Australian printmaker David Jay Reed.
In 2002 Katrina graduated with a further Bachelor of Arts (Art) and
completed her Honours (First Class) in 2006 both from Curtin University. Katrina taught textile techniques for a number of years to students at Applecross Senior High School. She
moved to Darlington in 2007 and continues to teach part-time
in the Art
Department at Curtin University. Katrina teaches a myriad of textile based
techniques and processes. As an artist she works three dimensionally with a
diverse range of materials including paint, wire, wood, fur, felt, various
fibres and a vast array of fabrics.
Maggie Baxter Maggie Baxter is a
Western Australian artist who has been working with textiles in India for almost
20 years.
Maggie's work in Kutch
focuses on using the techniques available but rarely includes traditional
designs or iconography. In her more recent collections, some textiles are
constructed, wrapped and folded to give form with embroidered lines floating
freely over; or characterized by large contour shapes of appliqué or block
prints that suggest the scribble of language unravelling.
To see more of Maggie's work, the November/December 2008 issue of The
Embroiderers' Guild UK magazine "Embroidery" has an article. This issue
available to view at The Embroiderers' Guild of WA library in Alfred Cove. Jane Donlin Jane Donlin is a textile artist who privileges the slow making with the hands.
She is currently doing a PhD at ECU in the arts, looking at the position of the crafts (and textile crafts in particular) in the context of a contemporary, technological advanced society.
Jane will show a body of work she has done over the years, giving an insight of how
her skills have developed and changed. She will also give a powerpoint presentation (approx 25min) on a paper
she gave at a recent conference, titled "Why Craft Matters". The paper argues that the marginalisation of craft is institutionally constructed.
A discussion will follow!
Jane will also engage the group in the making of netting
from either handmade or commercial string fibre. Those that attended the April
meeting with Lynn Marshall may like to use the string they made, or simply bring a ball
of white knitting or crochet cotton or wool (can be dyed later in a natural dye
bath, or even bring the ball already dyed), or a ball of natural cotton twine or
just any favourite yarn!
Also bring an empty plastic bottle or jar, such as a pill or vitamin bottle, to work the
net around.
The netting technique, which Jane learned at ECU from Nalda Searles,
was once essential to the survival of society, but it has long been surpassed by technology.
Bring a friend to share the experience... see you there! Lynne Marshall Lynne Marshall on fibre basketry. Trudi Pollard Trudi travelled to France and other countries in the last
quarter of 2008. She attended the 7th International Shibori Symposium
which was held over 2 weeks, 30th October to 10th
November, in Provence, Lyons and Paris, France. She also attended many of the
pre and post-symposium workshops. Trudi will take us on the journey of her experience of the
Symposium – the importance of natural colorants as they are used traditionally,
how we embrace those antique traditions and use them in a contemporary way
today, then thinking to the future. She will present a DVD of approximately 15 minutes
duration, followed by a light supper. Then the powerpoint presentation Trudi has
prepared will reveal all from the Symposium – SUMPTUOUS photographs, EXCITING
extracts from the guest speakers and more – a truly INSPIRING textile journey! Bring a friend to share the experience... see you there!
Linda van der Merwe Van der Merwe is a painter who has moved from a landscape genre to that of portraiture distinctly linked to location. Over her painting career, she has been a closet ‘maker’ of soft sculptures with some of her works being exhibited in highly successful invitation shows, ‘Small Figures Big Lives’ Fremantle Art Centre and “Dog” at the Vancouver Art Centre, Albany.
Her portrait works include the City Farm community, presented as a single art work which won the City of Perth Art Award, 2005 Minawarra art award (Armadale) and in 2005 painted five Freeman of the City for the City of Wanneroo. Her last exhibition ‘Social Gravity’ at Gallery East in 2002 was depicting the Fremantle Port Authority Mooring gang at work at North Quay. View the 2008 events here
Alexander Park Craft House, Clyde St, Menora
June 16 2009, 7:00pm
start
$2 members, $5 non-members at the door
Most of her artwork is developed and made in the remote area of Kutch in Gujarat
state. This is a hot, arid desert terrain of extreme hardship. Poor roads link
the many outlying villages to the main town of Bhuj. Against this barren
backdrop, vibrant colour and pattern permeates every aspect of Kutchi life.
Houses, clothing, furnishings, ox carts and animals are all decorated with
paintings, mud and mirror work, embroideries and beading. The extraordinary
diversity of crafts found in Kutch is the result of centuries of migrations from
present day Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia, Turkey, Iran and other areas of the
Middle East and central Asia.
In her talk, Maggie will describe the history of how and when she first went to
Kutch, the techniques she uses, the influences on her work, and her methodology.
Alexander Park Craft House, Clyde St, Menora
May 19 2009
$2 members, $5 non-members at the door
Alexander Park Craft House, Clyde St, Menora
April 21 2009
$2 members, $5 non-members at the door
Alexander Park Craft House, Clyde St, Menora
March 17 2009
$2 members, $5 non-members at the door
Alexander Park Craft House, Clyde St, Menora
February 17 2009
$2 members, $5 non-members at the door
She has also been invited to exhibit in many fund raisers, Perth Ballet Company, Perth Craft Council and Doll Auctions. At this meeting she will discuss her interesting journey and current practice, illustrating with examples, images and materials all acquired through years of fossicking through op shops.
Recently she ventured out more publicly with her desire to ‘make’, by forming a highly successful women’s sewing/making group at her local community art centre, the Mundaring Art Centre.
She also runs life and portrait drawing workshops and artist-in-residences at high schools and other communities. For more information about these workshops or residencies contact Linda at lindavandermerwe1@bigpond.com.
Van der Merwe’s work is represented in many private, public and corporate collections.
DON’T MISS
THIS VERY
STIMULATING
AND
INCREDIBLY
INSPIRING
TALK!!!
A FUN
ACTIVITY
IS ALSO
PLANNED!
