As well as reaching out to my on-line artists an Open Call for Entries went out to the Creative Fibre networks of NZ for works for this upcoming exhibition. I am delighted with the work that has been selected and has arrived at the gallery. Over 20 different artists and creators have been brought together for our enjoyment.
The wide range of different items are all natural materials, exquisitely crafted to make truely environmentally aware collectables.
The studio gallery is very colourful with these and many other beautiful, natural, and timeless items. The idea behind the exhibition was to provide a place to find gifts for the season that supported our new connection to our hoes in 2020 because of the Covid restrictions. To those we love we can gift creations for the places they live in and love that have kept them safe over this time. It is an opportunity to find really meaningful seasonal items that are also very timeless, well made, NZ created.
Please stop by to support this initiative for our NZ textile practitioners and their wonderful arts. On-line shopping is also available.
For The Home – Handmade & Natural runs until January 4th 2021.
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Extra Information and Artist List for the current exhibition – For The Home – Handmade & Natural.
Here is a very brief alphabetical rundown of the artists and their works that are included – just a teaser.
“Are WeThere Yet” is the title of a whimsical wall banner created by Jenny Bielawski of Inglewood, combining stitching with printing. Our resident origami and paper artist Sandy Corbett of Christchurch gives us a glorious new bouquet of exquisite paper flowers – these are collectables and very affordable. Mother and daughter team of Cuore Collective create simply beautiful natural linen towels for use in the kitchen. Resident artist – Viv Davy has some woven runners created from upcycled rags, naturally dyed of course!
Anna Hayes from Rotorua creates traditional Maori weavings with a modern sculptural interpretation. Jutta Humpfer from Whanganui creates multilayered wall pieces from upcycled and repurposed cloth – gentle colour fields and small details are her hallmark.
From New Plymouth we have Ann- Maree Karam, our resident basket weaver providing her vessels for this exhibition and Suzan Kostanich who created a wonderful range of wet felted cushions that are filled with feathers, and a free hanging lamp. Also local is Maree Liddington of Eltham who explored complex weave structure and colour play to create a stunning runner.
Julie Lumsden enjoys living in Otane, Central Hawkes Bay where she is working principally on needle felting at present. Her pure wool throws, wall pieces and lampshades are all heirlooms waiting for their forever homes.
Weaving in New Plymouth Lynne Mackay creates beautiful functional mug rugs and knee rugs. One of New Zealand’s senior weavers Nynke Piebenga, who regularly contributes to our gallery has her awesome bike inner tube and linen cushion covers if you are looking for a special gift for the cyclist in your family. Also her luxurious and ever popular knee rugs are available. Nynke farms in Pirongia. Beth Pottinger-Hockings, also from New Plymouth, produces an eclectic range of wet felted pieces both functional and sculptural.
Janet Robinson lives at Raumati Beach and is a fibreholic, presenting us with her wet felting work. Susan Shand, Whanganui, has shared her woven felted vessel with interesting colour explorations with us. Many locals will know Margaret Springett of Hawera and we are delighted to have two of her large wet felted scenes.
Edna Stuart, a long term fibre artist from Paraparaumu enjoys whimsy in her felt work.
Thames is home to Gael Thomas who has provided us with a glorious burst of floral colour and design with her felted work.
Tom Turner is a multimedia artist based in Whanganui and his paper based masks are very poignant and rich as they float on the gallery walls.
Jeanette Verster is building a very strong and well earned reputation for herself in the NZ and International Fibre Art world with recent off shore sales. She live in New Plymouth and has contributed both felted and paper works for this collection. Of extra special delight are her two poetic “curtains”. As an up and coming artist of note, it is worth viewing her beautiful complex works in the flesh.
Ildikó Vigh is our off shore artist being based in The Hague. Her hand made paper works are intimate, delicate and thoughtful. Closer to home, back at Paraparaumu Beach, Bronwyn White stitches her magical coloured canvases inspired by her stimulating local environment, capturing the moods of Nature.
Our final artist is Heather Wratt who lives and works in Te Puke. Her careful environmentally sensitive ecodyed and printed cushions have their own gentle peaceful aesthetic and would be a welcome addition to any home interested in environmental issues.
