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
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 am excited to be part of, Issue 1 of XStitch Magazine created and developed by Jamie “Mr X Stitch” Chalmers. There’s an abundance of textile artist profiles and patterns. You can purchase copies of the magazine from the website (http://xstitchmag.com/shop/issue-1-pre-order) and because I’m in it, you can use the discount code ISSUE1STAR to get 10% off the xstitch pattern magazine, the discount doesn’t apply to shipping though. Here is a sneak peak of one of my pages.
I loved working with KPC Yarn and felt connected to the pop up space in Paddington. The workshops were a hub of creativity and exploration of the needlepoint tapestry medium. I’m thinking of more making, more workshops and of creating kits, watch this space x
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.
Niki McDonald lives in Sydney, Australia. Her contemporary needlepoint tapestries explore the urban landscape and experience. ‘Faces, spaces and attitudes,’ are all themes in work which often depict strong women against a colourful background that includes cultural references to today’s society.
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.
Tapestry Girl 