8th annual GFR lecture at GFR Center for Tapestry Studies

29 Nov '05

4 min read

It is an extraordinary story of the way contemporary artists, including Aboriginal artists from remote communities, breathed new life into an ancient art in a country that had no history of tapestry production and little contact with the traditions of European tapestry.

Excerpt from an interview with Sue Walker:

Sue Walker thinks the wonderful thing about the Workshop has been the opportunities it has offered for Australian artists, and some overseas artists, to work in the medium of tapestry. This was one of the intentions of the founders, that Australian artists have the opportunity to work here in their own country without having to go to Europe and work within the European tradition.

It has been an opportunity to develop an Australian tradition of tapestry that is based on the European experience but is very much Australian. The vibrancy of the colours they use, the liveliness of their approach, the mixing of colours on the bobbin, the energy, the risk taking that is evident in their work is exciting.

The artists who have contributed to that process as designers and weavers have enjoyed a great opportunity made possible because of the initiative of the founders and the people principally from the Victorian Government who have continued to support it. Particularly critical in their development of an Australian approach to tapestry was the early encouragement of Scottish weaver Archie Brennan who provided generous practical adviceand inspired us to believe this was possible.

More Gloria F. Ross Center for Tapestry Studies News... More Textiles News - United States Of America...