ATW and the The Kate Derum and Irene Davies International Tapestry Awards

 The Australian Tapestry Workshop (ATW)

The Kate Derum and Irene Davies International Tapestry Award exhibition showcases the 2024 award finalists - this year 137 finalists were selected, representing over 16 countries. Winners will be announced at the opening Wednesday 31 July at 5.30-7.30pm.

I was lucky to  preview this wonderful display of tapstry textile art yesterday and can highly recommend you go see it. I felt that the overall standard of the works was very high. I mean, I don't really know much about tapestry apart from a general interest, but I was delighted to see the variety of techniques, weaving styles, knots and such. Interesting shapes and forms as well as build up of textures and raised areas. Colours and tones, mixing of textures and materials other than fabric, intersting shapes and forms were enjoyable to see and I spent a good hour trying to absorb it all.

Part of the ATW exhbition gallery display at 262 Park St, South Melbourne

A beautiful tapestry piece on display by Sue Weil (no relation, but a friend)
title: A Changing Landscape, 12" x 12" . You can see more of Sue's work HERE

Since its establishment in 1976 the ATW has built a worldwide reputation for the creation of contemporary tapestries in collaboration with living artists and architects. They have produced over 500 tapestries which han in significant public and private collections nationally and internationally. 

The ATW features a large workshop where you can observe ATW master weavers at work and look into the colour laboratory where the yarns are custom dyed for production. Currently on the large looms is an impressive work, "Welcome to Country - now you see me: seeing the invisible", by the artists Maree Clarke and Mitch Mahoney. The design of this work incorporates microscopic images of river reeds from the Maribynong River and skeletal drawings of local native flora and fauna. Destined for the New Footscray Hospital, the tapestry will take a team of 10 weavers around 12 months on two looms to create the piece. The weaving team will draw from the ATW's palette of over 360 coloured yarns sourced from Victorian farms and dyed on site.

Weavers in action at ATW on "Welcome to Country - now you see me"

I would encourage you to go visit this fascinating workshop, watch the weavers in action, admire the works in the Kate Durham/Irene Davies Award and enjoy this fabulous art space. Located in South Melbourne in the old Patross knitting mill factory on 262 Park Street South Melbourne. There is plenty of street parking available, or at the South Melbourne Market.

The ATW is open to the public Tuesdays - Fridays 10am - 5pm
Exhibition Dates: Thursday 1 August - Friday 18 October, 2024.
Opening Celebrations: Wednesday 31 July, 5.30-7.30PM.
www.austapestry.com.au

And if you become inspired there is also a shop offering a range of products from yarns, artworks for sale, detailed publications, magazines and a range of weaving supplies - from bobbins to looms - suitable for all skills and age groups.

ASMA winners announced!

 Guess who received a Highly Commended in the Australian Society of Miniature Art (NSW) 2024 National Exhibition!

I showed you in Thursday's post 'Fire Tail', but it was the second work 'Red Fin' that got the award.

'Redfin' by Linda Weil 2024
Mixed media: Re-purposed matchbox, copper and brass wire, polymer clay, acyrlic paint, resin, graphite and colour pencil on 300gsm hot press paper, wooden coaster.

If you are in Sydney in the next few weeks, do drop in to see this exhibition!
 

ASMA National Awards Exhibition

 Opening night, Friday 12 July

 

This wonderful annual exhibition showcases the art of the modern miniature and opens in Sydney tomorrow night (July 12, 2024).  The aims of the Society are to create minature works of excellence, to foster traditional and modern techniques and to encourage public awareness and the enjoyment of miniature works of art. The works include a broad range including watercolour, oil, acrylic as well as drawing, printmaking, mixed media and 3D/sculptural works.

Size for a 2D work must not exceed a perimeter of 40cm and subjects must be created 'in minature' (not life size on a small piece of paper). 3D works cannot exceed 15cm in any direction. Books must be entirely handmade by the artist. 

Although these requirements might sound restricting, the range and creativity of the art produced in this exhibition is amazing - it must be seen! So if you are in NSW during July come have a look. I have entered two small 3D works based on the 'Redhead' matchbooks. Here is a sample of one:

 'Firetails' by Linda Weil.
Repurposed matchbox, brass and copper wire, polymer clay, acrylic paint, colour and graphite pencil on 300gsm hot press paper mounted on black painted wood. 9 x 8 x 3 cm.