The Seed Stitch Collective comprises seven Sydney based textile practitioners exploring concepts through making. They are Soraya Abidin, Sky Carter, Alana Clifton, Suzanne Davey, Gillian Lavery, Niki McDonald and Emma Peters. Read Our story on The Sydney Craft Week web site Sydney Craft Week Interview
See Our exhibition at The TAP Gallery 9th – 15th of October
‘Where the Vertical meets the Horizontal’ my 20ply merino wool latch hook cross on exhibition with the Seed Stitch Collective, at the Gaffa Gallery, Sydney. The audience is asked to start a new conversation by pulling handfuls of fluffy wool from the piece, balling them up and discarding the wispy creations on the wooden floor. The orginal gives rise to a new conversation and where the story will go, I’m looking forward to seeing x
The collective is comprised of seven Sydney based artists: Soraya Abidin, Sky Carter, Alana Clifton, Suzanne Davey, Gillian Lavery, Niki McDonald and Emma Peters. While their backgrounds, education and approach to art practice are diverse, they each have a deep understanding of material qualities and textile processes. The Seed Stitch Collective are passionate about exploring and promoting contemporary textiles.
Wonderment can be described as a surprise encounter that arrests our senses for a fleeting moment. It is an instant of absolute presence where we are transfixed by an awe-inspiring sight, or engaged in child-like discovery, or merely struck and shaken by the extraordinary that exists in the familiar and everyday. In every instance of experiencing wonderment, we are left with a feeling of revitalisation, renewal and awe.
In our current state of political and social tension and the accompanying cacophony of media noise, wonderment stimulates a momentary pause in time, acts as a surge of clarity, and sees the worry and overwhelming tensions in the world fall away.
In this exhibition, the Seed Stitch Collective celebrates wonderment as an antidote to contemporary anxieties. As artists, we are able to delve into the depths of our creative world and seek remedy in the surprise encounters of creative acts. The moments found within art-making is where this respite is found. It slows us down, it occupies our mind and hands, and we are joyfully enthralled by the possibility of creation.
We hope that the audience finds the spirit of this theme, the collective and the creative output to be a powerful reminder that hope, generosity and connection is alive and well.
You are Invited to, ‘Wonderment’ @Gaffa Gallery, level 2, 281 Clarence St, Sydney.
Wonderment opening – Thursday 31st August 6-8pm through until 11th Sept
Artist Talks – Saturday 2nd of September 12-2pm
I Love needle point tapestry because I can sew as I go…. some places that I sew….
Learn the art of contemporary needlepoint at the KPC Yarn @kpcyarn pop-up in Paddington, Sydney. I am teaching two three-hour workshops.
Explore the half cross stitch traditionally used in needlepoint tapestry, sew on an urban inspired painted tapestry canvas and use a stencil to extend your image with key black lines. Seeking movement, layering and texture we will work with the single and double cross stitch and allow the painted background to reveal itself.
This work shop will provide you with the skills and inspiration to access your creativity. Needlepoint tapestry is the perfect combination of art meets craft and you’ll find the rhythmic flow of sewing is restorative, soothing and uplifting.
All equipment is provided; KPC Yarn, A painted 5ct tapestry canvas, An embroidery needle, Stencils, Black markers and a Tapestry tote bag
There are limited spaces so hurry.
For bookings and more details go to kpcyarn.bigcartel.com or follow the link above.
At the BarometerGallery, Paddington, Opening on Thursday 10th of November 6-8pm
100 x 120cm – 3.75ct tapestry canvas – maximizing the stitches to reveal the spray painted background. On exhibition in November at the Barometer Gallery in Paddington as part of the Seed Stitch Collective.
A half cross stitch on a spray painted 3.75 Ct tapestry canvas. 95x120cm
Latch hook rug,60ply Merino and acrylic wool, power coated metal grid,600x2700mm
The alley way and street sings a song of long ago, the passion of celebratory voices from many lands scatter their seeds as they unite. The chorus tells of laying granite rock on stone and brick, of sparking up spirit and rising above blood and bone.
I am drawn to the mechanical nature of my textile arts practice. Within the repetition and toiling is a space that allows me to connect with my inner peace. I feel my spirit pulsating as the piece unfolds and takes shape. My heart races as I connect with the art and the process and the piece that will never really be complete or static or resolved. Every eye that falls upon my art sees what they have earlier sown, their spirit imprints with its own light.
Wool like the spirit absorbs light and sound, it’s rich and tactile and comes from a source that has been nurtured and grown. When cared for and cherished it calls to all and sings a new song and an old song and a song of joy and hope.
Tapestry Girl 