Arty Places #15 - Newcastle Embroiderers

What is a pop -up exhibition?
"A pop-up exhibition is a temporary art event, less formal than a gallery or museum but more formal than private artistic showing of work. The idea began in 2007 in New York City where space for exhibiting artistic work is very limited. Although the idea originated from New York City, pop-up exhibitions occur all around the world. " from Wikipedia
Yes, even right here in my own suburb... The Newcastle Branch of the The Embroiderers' Guild recently held a pop-up exhibition of members' work just for a day on a public holiday in October, thus transforming the New Lambton Community Hall into a very "arty place" indeed. I am happy to include this exhibition in this blog series.

I was really impressed with the variety of work and the high level of skill displayed in so many different techniques. It is so reassuring to see such beautiful pieces using the traditional techniques. There were some exceptional examples of hardanger and pulled thread work. Unfortunately I don't have photographs of that work, but here is a Pinterest link to hardanger with thousands of images of this wonderful Nordic technique and another Pinterest link to drawn and pulled thread to inspire. Below are a couple of other pieces in the background

On display too was some contemporary interpretative embroidery and I was particularly taken with some dimensional embroidered works. When I inquired, one of the embroiderers told me about a technique where corn pads ( yes, those ones you use for your feet!) are used as base padding to raise the embroidery. I enjoy hearing about innovative uses of everyday items to create art !

I applaud the addition of quilts in this pop-up embroidery exhibition. Because I am not a quilter and do not approach work of large dimensions , I admire even more the workmanship in the quilts which were on display and the commitment of these quilters to complete such art works which each have their own narrative.

Congratulations to the Newcastle Branch of the The Embroiderers' Guild NSW on this initiative to showcase their work to the community. It is essential to the culture of our community, now and in the future, that groups like this exist and encourage creativity by sharing skills, knowledge and achievement.

"The creative arts are the measure and reflection of our civilization, .... The moral values we treasure are reflected in the beauty and truth that is emotionally transmitted through the arts. The arts say something about us to future generations. " ... Ann Khan

For more information about the group, follow the link to The Newcastle Branch of the Embroiderers' Guild which meets on Mondays 10am - 9pm at the New Lambton Community Hall. Approximately 90 embroiderers get together to chat and stitch from 10am, while most have left by 2pm, there is a small group that are still there when the Night Group members start to arrive later in the afternoon, usually after work.

Too Precious to Waste

Stitched tea bags/ old doily "tea lights" - Wilma Simmons More than a year ago, a decision was made. The annual exhibition of NCEATA ( Newcastle Creative Embroiderers and Textile Artists) 2015-2016 will have the theme "Mottainai". Mottainai in Japanese refers to more than just physical waste (resources). It is even used to refer to thought patterns that give rise to wasteful action. Grammatically, it can be used in Japanese as an exclamation ("mottainai!") or as an adjective phrase ("it feels mottainai"). There is no plural form. The collection of mottainai things could be called mottainai koto ( もったいない事 ? ). As an exclamation ("mottainai!") it means roughly "what a waste!" or "Don't waste." [2] A simple English equivalent is the saying "waste not, want not." A more elaborate meaning conveys a sense of value and worthiness and may be translated as "do not destroy (or lay waste to) that

Fish and Sticks : Art Dolls

This week I've been working on fish and sticks .... The sticks are the message stick art dolls which were very popular, attracting some attention and a few orders at the Wise Women exhibition. Each of the message stick dolls are from the Wise Women series, each with her own personality and message of wisdom, handwritten on a handmade timber tag. I gather the sticks during my walks around my neighbourhood and the tags are made from special bits of timber, some collected by me or my husband or from off cuts gifted to us from another doll making friend whose husband makes bagpipes. These dolls start off very simply with a wrap around a stick, in the general shape of a body. 'Naked" message stick dolls - strips of wadding wrapped around found sticks. Then I usually wrap other layers of fabric, wool, and/or fibres, over which I do some simple embroidery. I sculpt or mould small face masks for these dolls. I really like using "sari ribbon" as wrapping str

Wednesday's Child /2

Work in Progress - 3 of the 193 for "Stitched Up"- Wilma Simmons The work for the "Stitched Up " Project continues. See the previous "Wednesday Child" post for the background to this art project celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Newcastle Industrial School. I have been documenting the progress of my work, so I thought it might be interesting to share some of the early stages of the "stick dolls" ... Here are some of the beginning steps.. Sticks collected while walking the bushland in my neighbourhood Drying and getting rid of any insects - oven heat 75 degreesC for approx 1-2 hours. Trimmed and cut if necessary Ends sealed with matte sealing solution. Drying - solution goes on white but dries clear. First wrapping - foil to create a body shape Second wrapping - stretch fabric. Third wrapping - fabric strips Some stitching - more stitching and embellishment to come. Follow thi

Empress Wu Designs with Wilma

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