Invitation:

This year we align ourselves with The International Year of Natural Fibres 2009 (IYNF); our members come from diverse fibre and textile backgrounds.

The exhibition is a showcase for the individual skills and artistic outcomes of WAFTA members; a public face for a growing fibre/textile group in Perth, Western Australia. It aims to celebrate the association, its friendships and to provide an exhibition opportunity for all members whether professional, hobbyist or emerging artist. Some works will be for sale, providing an opportunity to purchase superb textile artworks.

The Moores Gallery is a large and difficult space to exhibit in - it is heritage listed, old and therefore very rustic. The walls, which cannot be touched, are highly textured and there are huge exposed rafters lining the ceiling. In such a space, we bring together 60 or so individual works and styles. The gallery is an interactive space where the public walk in and through the 'fabric'. The look is unified, ethereal, considered, inviting.

The unity of the exhibition is in the format. Long, narrow, rectangular lengths of 'fabric' suspended from the exposed rafters - think prayer flags. We are also exhibiting 3D works from members who choose to create this way.

The Design Guidelines given to members:

• format 1: to hang in rows, from the rafters, in the main gallery, rectangular 'fabric' of finished length 3.6 metres long by 0.5 metre wide (finished length including 10cm hanging sleeve/carrier)
• format 2: to stand in the front room, 3D work of minimum size 50 centimetres on 2 sides and maximum 1 metre on any side
• content: predominantly natural fibre, no less than 80%
  
• thematic ideas: spirituality, the spirituality of creativity, flags, prayer flags, wishes to the world
  
• techniques: any! and may include (as examples) felting, quilting, all over machine stitching, hand stitching, natural dyeing, screen printing, layering, cut work, appliqué, reverse appliqué, knitting, lace, knotting, weaving...
  
• colours: predominantly muted, subtle; think nutmeg, cream, mushroom, shale, mud... see colour board samples here
• lengths of 'fabric' viewable on both sides as people walk amongst them. Consider how a hanging sleeve might be incorporated such that it is a part of the work. Total finished length 3.6m with hanging sleeve.
• The term 'fabric' is used loosely to form an image in the mind. The technique and materials chosen define 'fabric' for the final pieces.

Other websites to visit:

www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/406148/natural-fibre
www.binhaitimes.com/history.html