“This exhibition is a result of my learning and research project about wool and gum tree dyes and although it started as an exploration of wool, natural dyes and textiles in particular, it has lead me down a path of connecting with the environment and land and feeling more at home where I am. A significant element of the project has been the condition that the central wool pieces are created using one animal as a source of wool, one plant as a source of dye and one person as the maker of the pieces, following through the whole process of washing, carding, spinning, dyeing, knitting, weaving of the item. In a way each piece is also a data visualisation project, where each piece is made out of an entire fleece and the colour variations are achieved by using only one source, that has been manipulated using variables such as time and mordant. Additionally to the knitted and woven pieces, I have utilised the natural dyes to colour other tapestries and household pieces, such as table cloths, bags and curtains that are hand screenprinted and embroidered.”
This project was made possible by the Australian Government's Regional Arts Fund, which supports the arts in regional and remote Australia.
Photos by Annabel Fisher
