Working with fibre on show
Taranaki Creative Fibre’s biennial exhibition, Fibreworks 2018, opened at the gallery over the weekend.
It is an outstanding exhibition highlights the myriad ways that all types of fibre can be manipulated and worked to create garments, blankets, wall hangings, sculpture, rugs and much more. The only prerequisite is knowhow , inspiration and imagination.
Classes are regularly offered for those who want to get started on the all-consuming journey of fibrework. We will have experts here at the gallery during the exhibition so make sure you come in and have a chat with them.
The talented and innovative group covers a wide array of disciplines — weaving, knitting, spinning, felting, dyeing. Many of the artists hold national awards and are experts in manipulating texture and form.
Each piece was judged and prizes were awarded across several categories ranging from design expertise to the use of colour and specific fibres such as silk, alpaca, flax, wool, linen and cotton including a recycled category.
There was also an award for a first-time entrant to encourage new members and another for the most creative use of New Zealand design or materials, with particular reference to Taranaki.
Coinciding with the Fibreworks 2018 exhibition is an artisan market in the Stratford War Memorial Hall on Saturday September 1. The market has a strong focus on fibre traders. There will be a number of local traders and artisans who make their own products. The30 stallholders will include handspun, hand-knitted, hand-woven and felted items from local Creative Fibre members.
Also featured is garden art, hand-made clothing and bags, childrenswear, photography, wall art, lavender products and soap. Food connoisseurs will be able to select from home-made preserves, sauces and chutneys, and donuts and Indian snacks.
The market will open at 9.30am and close at 2.30pm.
■ The gallery’s next exhibition is the well-respected and popular Adam Portraiture Award selection showing here from Friday September 21. Gallery 2 will have the first solo exhibition by local artist Sue Ellis, Mysterious Mischief.
If you would like to become a Friend of the Gallery it is time to renew. This will ensure you receive invites to all the opening events.