Posts Tagged ‘creativity’

Thank you to Ansie and Inspirations Magazine for the thoughtful article. Please follow the link below to see the piece written by Ansie van der Walt

https://www.inspirationsstudios.com/tapestry-girl/

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Re-emerging

Posted: April 27, 2023 in Gallery
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As an artist who creates contemporary needlepoint inspired by street art, I am deeply connected to the transformative power of creativity. My textile works are a manifestation of the life force that is cultivated through the act of creating.

Using vibrant colours, bold lines, and intricate stitches, I seek to capture the energy and vitality of the urban environment. My pieces reflect the dynamic interplay between the individual and the collective, the physical and the spiritual.

As a practitioner of needlepoint, I am drawn to the tactile nature of the medium. The process of hand-stitching allows me to slow down and connect with my work on a deeper level, channelling my creativity and life force into each stitch.

My works are not simply decorative objects, but rather expressions of the creative spirit that infuses all of life. Through my art, I seek to inspire others to tap into their own creative energy and discover the transformative power that lies within.

As an artist, my textile art reflects my deep connection to creativity and the way in which it elevates my life force. My work is contemporary needlepoint inspired by the vibrant energy of street art, which I use to convey the power of self-expression and the transformative nature of art.

In this body of work, I have used the symbol of the butterfly to represent the sense of re-emerging after a period of isolation brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. The butterfly’s transformation from a cocoon to a beautiful, soaring creature mirrors the way in which we can emerge from difficult times, transformed, and renewed.

Through my use of vibrant colours and intricate stitching, I aim to create a sense of joy and hope in the viewer, inviting them to embrace their own creativity and the power of art to transform and heal. My needlepoint pieces are a celebration of the beauty and resilience of the human spirit, and a testament to the enduring power of creativity to lift us up and carry us forward.

Sydney winter sunsets are awe inspiring, warm gelato pinks, streaks of strawberry, rose lemonades, fluffy flamingo coloured clouds . The sun sets in the west and the silhouettes of people, places and things contrast against the bubblegum skies.

Intelligent animal and the Darlington Installation Project (DIP) present
Blame it on the Sunsets by Niki McDonald, Tapestry Girl. https://www.intelligentanimal.com.au/

‘I’m saying that our urban environment empowers the women who embrace
the colours, reflections, lights, and Sunsets’. Follow the link for the catalogue . https://www.intelligentanimal.com.au/_files/ugd/7c5458_5c41c7e30d85469a885e6b54dc3fd61c.pdf

Follow the link for What’s on in Sydney. https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/blame-it-on-the-sunsets-niki-mcdonald-aka-tapestry-girl

The purpose of Intelligent Animal (ia) is to financially contribute to people and organisations undertaking critical action to ensure the future and ongoing protection of our bio-diversity.

Sunset City
Afternoon Tea
Pink Gelato

It’s happened again, just as my, Seamingly compliant , exhibition was about to open, Sydney went into a Stage 4 Lockdown and the Traffic Jam galleries had to close. The exhibition has been set up and photographed and you can see my work in the Catalogue by clicking on the link. I am so happy with this Body of Work, Seemingly compliant, is an exhibition divided into 3 parts, and is an exploration of my personal journey to find authentic self-expression and reinvigorate the story within the common thread. Scroll down for a taster or click for the whole show

Click for the catalogue

Intelligent Animal and Darlington Installation Project (DIP) present Niki McDonald, Tapestry Girl.

This is the sixth exhibition in an awareness and fundraising campaign series to support Frontline Action on Coal (FLAC) curated by intelligent animal in conjunction with DIP window Gallery.

50% of all sales will go to supporting the community members from around the country that are undertaking frontline action to stop the construction of the Adani Carmichael Mine at Moray Downs, Queensland. The Great Barrier Reef is at risk of being destroyed and since I haven’t been there yet, I really want to make sure it’s preserved and is ready to welcome eco tourists.

Our environment is precious, precarious and needs our help to thrive and survive. Covid 19 has taught me that with less planes, trains and automobiles, by keeping life simple, the skies are crystal clear, the water ways can play host to marine life and our environment has a chance to recover.

The window exhibition can be seen at 30 Golden Grove street, Darlington, NSW until 16.08.2020

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In these unprecedented times when an exhibition is hung and a catalogue has been created but for the health of all no one can visit it. Please check out my body of work in the Traffic Jam Galleries catalogue.  https://www.trafficjamgalleries.com/Niki-McDonald

Amending Traditions is a body of work that pays respect to the tradition of needlepoint tapestry, it honors its process and considers its subject matter. Art reflects society and in the 19th century, tapestry affirmed rigidity and modesty. The role of the amended tapestry is to break the customary stereotypes by sassing up the traditional subject matter. Stitching and mending recontextualises and allows for autonomy and sustained self-expression.

Traditional tapestries are stitched and darned with contemporary urban themes and incorporate humor to show contrast.  Niki McDonald employs sub-culture slang and lyrics from popular songs to prompt the viewer to complete the line and relive a moment in time. By inviting the audience to connect their own experience with that of the subject in the tapestry she hopes to ignite impact.

Birds represent freedom, they have a higher perspective and a big picture view. In the series, Amending Traditions, the bird gives us insight into how the subject is feeling and what their challenge is.

TJG

I hope you enjoy the exhibition catalogue as much as I enjoyed creating and stitching it x

Thank you 2019 for the many opportunities to express, exhibit and teach my passion, needlepoint tapestry.

8 gallery exhibitions, including galleries in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, London and Los Angeles.  4 online exhibitions, 3 stitches and craft shows, 12 workshops, 2 magazine features, 1 million stitches and many Sew as I GO moments. I’m stitching over summer and am preparing to thrive and blossom in 2020. All my love and gratitude for the creativity, support and opportunities throughout 2019

 

Anni Albers Quote. Being creative is not so much the desire to do something as the listening to that which wants to be done: the dictation of the materials. Creating is the most intense excitement one can come to know.

I was chatting with a friend about my needlepoint tapestry, Slowly Taking Dictation, she said that it worked with the Polish Poet’s, Secretary of the invisible. I’m drawn to the idea of slowly taking dictation in the role of the secretary of the invisible.

Niki_McDonald_ Slowly taking Dictation _ NP Tapestry _ 2019

Slowly Taking Dictation 110x90cm. Hand dyed 30ply wool, 3.75 tapestry canvas, 2019

Secretaries by Czeslaw Milosz

I am no more than a secretary of the invisible thing
That is dictated to me and a few others.
Secretaries, mutually unknown, we walk the earth
Without much comprehension.  Beginning a phrase in the middle
Or ending it with a comma.  And how it looks when completed
Is not up to us to inquire, we won’t read it anyway.

front cover

Stitches and Craft

I am honored to be a guest artist at the Sydney Stitches and craft Show, I’ve been stitching for months and am looking forward to hanging my new body of work. In addition to my tapestry pieces I am selling cards and printed tapestry canvases so you can reap the benefits of stitching yourself. I am also offering free workshops each day from 2pm for the first 10 to sign up. If you’re in Sydney, please come by and say, Hi.

Sew as I go, at Artisan’s on Lewis, Mudgee was everything I wanted, a gorgeous gallery, my body of work professionally and carefully curated, enthusiastic gallery goers, family and friends, the most heavenly wine from the sponsor, Pieter van Gent and an array of red dots.

To be playful I themed up for my exhibition and wore a, Lady and the Unicorn, tapestry  printed skirt.

Mudgee is a 4 hours drive from Sydney, it’s over the Blue Mountains and into the Central West. For all those that couldn’t make it to the opening I’ve posted a photo collage. Sew as I Go, runs until September 16th, so if you’re up for quintessential wineries, colonial buildings and friendly Mudgee folk take the trip and visit.