I haven't done a blog post for a while, I was so concentrated in getting my latest quilt finished before the deadline. I did get it finished with a few days to spare but I haven't heard if it has been accepted or not. It is a contemporary, different sort of quilt so it might not suit the exhibition that usually has a very Australian type of theme. At least I have a quilt finished.
I belong to a local group that goes on outings every month and last month we went to the Australian Tapestry Workshop. It is internationally renowned for producing contemporary tapestries that are commissioned and displayed all around the world. It is in a beautiful old building from 1885 and was built as a drapery but in 1893 it became a knitting mill.
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| Demo area |
Before we entered the work area we were taken to a room where we were given a talk about the history of the Australian Tapestry Workshop and learnt that the weavers are trained thoroughly for many years and are master weavers. We were told about the wool that is used and how it is especially dyed for each project.
Then we were taken to the gallery where we could watch the weavers at work.
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| Old Media by Emma Biggs and Mathew Collings |
The picture above is the painting that they are recreating in tapestry. Next, you can see them working on it and get an idea of how big it will be.
I find it amazing that they all work on their sections and it all works out in the end.
Here you can see the samples that they make before they start.
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| Test samples |
Look at all this thread that has been produced for it.
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| Cones of thread |
I managed to get a closer photo of them in action.
I don't think that I would want to sit there all day working with a mask on, but they must enjoy it. The tapestries cost thousands of dollars.
Unfortunately, I will miss our outing next week because I am busy doing something else.
On the weekend, I am off to the official opening of the Golden Textures Contemporary Art Quilt Award. They have used my quilt in their advertising which is an honour.
Bye for now,
Linda
2 comments:
Can't imagine working on something of that magnitude. Would be interesting to know how many hours will end up going into it. And all those cones of thread - wow!!!
Congratulations on being the 'advertising' for the awards.
(and a little side note - there used to be a knitting mill here at one time. My MIL worked there before she was married and she said pretty much all they made were blankets).
Thanks Again, Magpie Mumblings, I think I remember them saying that the tapestry was going to take 6 months. I actually saw a photo of it nearly finished in the paper this week, so they have been working really hard on it.
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