Ararat gallery workshop success
Budding craft enthusiasts had an opportunity to take part in a faceto-face workshop with artist Leanne O’sullivan at Ararat Gallery TAMA.
Inspired by her textile collection featured in a ‘Thread of Life’ exhibition, O’sullivan demonstrated the Japanese tradition of slowstitch ‘mottainai’ and wrapping ‘tsutsumu’.
The series of pre-lockdown workshops, indulging an urge to create something new out of existing materials, involved 20 participants.
Ararat mayor Jo Armstrong attributed success of the sold-out workshops to visitor demand for in-person experiences.
“Our galleries offer more than just art. They also provide a space where the community can connect, learn new skills and be inspired,” she said.
“Ms O’sullivan was the perfect choice of artist for the first in-person workshop since the pandemic began. Her love of craft and Japanese-culture
appreciation resonated well with the participants.
“We’re thrilled to have out-oftown visitors visit the gallery too.”
For more than 15 years O’sullivan has shared her craft with community groups, schools and galleries, as well as from her studio space, Kimono House in Melbourne’s Nicholas Building.
“Workshops are a great way for people to get familiar with other cultures and discover their passion for craft,” O’sullivan said.
“In the morning class, participants hand-stitched a drawstring bag using vintage kimono cloth in the Japanese tradition of ‘mottainai’ – not to be wasteful.
“I also introduced some of the visible mending techniques that can be found in works from my ‘boro’ collection displayed in the ‘Thread of Life’ exhibition.
“The second session was ‘tsutsumu’ or wrapping techniques. Each person had a furoshiki, a square-shaped traditional Japanese wrapping cloth, and learned six different ways of wrapping and tying it. The practice is still used for gift wrapping or as a carry bag in Japan today.
“We also created a braid for drying chilis – items from the gallery’s Japanese packaging collection inspired the activity.
“I hoped to teach people about Japanese craft and sustainable practice, how it was done in the past, evolved over time and how it’s practised in Japan today.
“We don’t necessarily have to comprise the aesthetics by avoiding purchasing new materials to use every time – we all have a linen closet full of materials we can repurpose for our arts and crafts.
“These lessons can be applied in everyday life, not just how we approach art. With the pandemic, I find more people are exploring new hobbies and are turning to craft to keep sane. I have found that with the inability to travel, people are particularly interested in learning about other cultures through experiences at the moment.”