Out and About

 I have been to a couple of exhibitions in the last few days - trying to get some creative interest going but also to see some wonderful work! 

Yesterday I went to the Australian Tapestry Workshop to see the Kate Derum and Irene Davies awards for small tapestries. I had seen the online exhibition and opening but it was SO much better to see it in person. 

I thought the voting for the public's awards was shut but found this on Facebook just now: it is a link to the event and then the voting button is further down. 

Having seen them in person, I was able to go back and see them and know which ones resonated with me when I could almost touch them. So I have voted. 

I actually know a few of the people who have put works into the exhibition but I didn't let that influence me, I went with the one that had the most to say to me. (No, I am not going to say what I voted for.) 

I saw one piece by K Spoering and thought, I know that name! Then I realised that is it someone whose blog I have followed for years! 

I took some photos but didn't get the names of the artists, so I won't post here. You will just have to go the site to see them. 

However, I did get the names of some artists at the AQIPP exhibition that I visited the day before. I have posted already about the wonderful online recording that is available but, as usual, there is nothing quite like being there in person. 

The exhibition has been extended till February, so take the chance to visit, if you can.

There was a great variety of interpretations and techniques. I found it very inspiring. A lot of the artists were affected by the lockdowns caused by Covid 19. Some were sadder than others. But they were all very interesting. 

I really liked the piece of dyed silk that wafted over the background. 

This one was interesting to me, especially, as I have recently done the Cas Holmes online course and there was quite a focus on using paper collage as the background. 

I found the artist statement 'spoke' to me. And the combination of machine and hand sewing was lovely. 

Kate Derum Award, 2017

I was fortunate to be able to attend the announcement of the Kate Derum Tapestry Weaving Award, and the Irene Davis Emerging Artist Award tonight, at the Australian Tapestry Workshop.
The exhibition was of a very high quality. It seems to get better every time!

Irene Davis Emerging Artist pieces.

It was great to catch up with some of my weaving friends who had pieces accepted (as well as my weaving friends who either didn't get accepted or didn't enter). We had a lovely night.
The atmosphere was of joy and excitement.

The range of tapestries was wonderful, as were the interpretations of the guidelines. Congratulations to anyone who did get their work in the exhibition, there were more applications than were shown.


It was also great to see some tapestries of people I have only come across online. It is soo much better to see the works 'in the flesh' than as images online.


The opening speeches were interesting. One thing I found quite fascinating was the idea that works from the USA, Europe and Australia/New Zealand have different features that identify where they were woven or where the weaver was taught. This was apparent to the judges, not to me!!

I didn't get great photos, it was too crowded! But I am sure the website and/or Facebook site will have wonderful images up soon.

The winning tapestry. 

We also got to see the tapestries on the loom in the main workroom, as well as many of the absolutely gorgeous samples.

The exhibition is on till September 29th and is well worth the visit. 

Kate Derum Tapestry Award 2015

The winner of the Kate Derum Award for Small Tapestries was announced last Thursday evening.

We started the evening in the main part of the workshop where there is a large tapestry on the very large loom!

It was great to be able to get up close and see the work, the textures and yarns being used.
There was an explanation on display, along with samples that had been done initially, to show the artist the types of interpretations that could be done of his work.

It was especially interesting to read that he had then worked with the weaving medium in mind.

I have made this a big larger than usual so you will, hopefully, be able to read it if you click on it. 

We then moved into the gallery where all the tapestries were on display. As usual, it was hard to see them all in detail due to the crowd, but I did get to see them all eventually.  No wonder the judges had such a hard time deciding. There were some amazing pieces.

The winner was Marilyn Rae-Menzies, from New Zealand.

There were participants from quite a few countries: Australia (of course), New Zealand, the UK, Mexico, the USA, Latvia.  That is all I can remember at the moment. They ran out of catalogues on the night but I found it online here.

There was another award too, the Irene Davies Emerging Artist Award, won by Agnese Ondzule, of Latvia.