Artists finishing the installation of their joint exhibition

10th November – 19th December 2022

Artist Talk Friday 11th November 1.30 pm – 2.30 pm at the gallery

We had the most wonderful time listening to these talented twins explaining how they have been inspired to create the works the gallery is now displaying. Thank you everyone who joined us and thank you Jeanette and Jennifer for being so accessible.

Jeanette and Jennifer are twin sisters who live a great distance apart but who share a strong creative energy.

Jeanette works primarily as a quilter. Based in Wanaka much of her work is informed by the local scenery but then there have also been inspirational travels such as Antarctica and St Georgia Island. From that trip Jeanette wanted to capture the yellow eyed penguins delightful behaviour and antics.

Jeanette describes her textile practice:

My work is predominantly hand dyed fabric, using procein dyes, batik, indigo, breakdown printing, eco dyeing, and rusting. I mostly use silk, silk/cotton and silk/rayon/viscose fabrics.

I love colour and the tactile quality of texture.

I like to quilt my pieces quite heavily to add texture to enhance the landscape and the subject of my project. I like to add a little touch of embroidery to my work if it is applicable and also the occasional beading.

I am as passionate about quilting as I was 43 years ago when I first took up this art form.

Marching – Jeanette Gillies
Cycling Through The Forest – Jeanette Gillies
Detail Cycling Through The Forest – Jeanette Gillies
Cycling Near The Lake – Jeanette Gillies
Detail Cycling Near The Lake – Jeanette Gillies
Cycling In The Country – Jeanette Gillies
Detail Cycling In The Country – Jeanette Gillies
Detail Fantail Flutter – Jeanette Gillies
Detail Fantail Flutter – Jeanette Gillies
Silver Birch Plantation – Jeanette Gillies
Detail Silver Birch Plantation – Jeanette Gillies
Detail Velvet Flax Flower Cushions – Jeanette Gillies
Detail Velvet Flax Flower Cushions – Jeanette Gillies

Jennifer talks about her diverse range of works in the exhibition:

This series is about layering. We layer everything we do, the way we dress, serve food, garden, think and plan, so it makes sense to layer textiles. The outcomes can be quite varied and thought provoking.

The rust on pieces was transferred to the silk with objects like a grater, electric hedge trimmer blade and roofing iron. As an alternative to rusted objects plant material was used to botanically dye the silk.

Each hanging has its own special interpretation of the rust and plant impressions. The black and natural coloured silk offers diversity. Colourful scarves, alongside botanically dyes scarves and journals with leaf imprints and fabric pages, support the wall art.