Fragment
Palm House Gallery - Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
16 - 28 August 2012
ATASDA members Australia wide were presented with an opportunity to exhibit their response to the theme Fragment at the historically significant Palm House Gallery, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. Fragment is ATASDA’s sixth exhibition at Palm House Gallery.
Bi-annually, Palm House Gallery showcases members’ works in a particularly effective public gallery setting within a supportive community environment.
Bi-annually, Palm House Gallery showcases members’ works in a particularly effective public gallery setting within a supportive community environment.
Fibrearts are promoted to those who may not have been exposed to textiles and the possibilities of textiles as well as being a valuable experience for members and peers. Visitors and locals alike made Fragment a ‘destination’ or just happened upon the exhibition when exploring Sydney. Fragment was an opportunity to both view and purchase original artworks.
Members with a love and passion for textiles produced works inspired by workshops, exhibitions, literature, museums, personal reflections, memories, music, film, landscapes and mindsets, experiences and other media. Members took the ‘seed’ of an idea, developed and changed it, asked questions, analysed concepts and investigated both the familiar, and sometimes the unfamiliar, resulting in extensive exploration challenging perceptions of textiles and fibre.
Traditionally, Palm House Gallery exhibitions have a hanging (a banner) dividing the entry and sales area in keeping with the exhibition’s theme. ATASDA members (nationally) are invited to collaborate to create this ‘textile extravaganza’. For Fragment, kits outlining the banner’s concept (based on the ‘lightness of being’), a fragment size, shape, colour palette (tones of cream and white) encouraging the use of sheers, whimsical layers and cutouts to co-ordinate with Palm House's interior were sent out.
Members with a love and passion for textiles produced works inspired by workshops, exhibitions, literature, museums, personal reflections, memories, music, film, landscapes and mindsets, experiences and other media. Members took the ‘seed’ of an idea, developed and changed it, asked questions, analysed concepts and investigated both the familiar, and sometimes the unfamiliar, resulting in extensive exploration challenging perceptions of textiles and fibre.
Traditionally, Palm House Gallery exhibitions have a hanging (a banner) dividing the entry and sales area in keeping with the exhibition’s theme. ATASDA members (nationally) are invited to collaborate to create this ‘textile extravaganza’. For Fragment, kits outlining the banner’s concept (based on the ‘lightness of being’), a fragment size, shape, colour palette (tones of cream and white) encouraging the use of sheers, whimsical layers and cutouts to co-ordinate with Palm House's interior were sent out.
Opening
Kirry Toose, ATASDA NSW Branch President, spoke – at the formal opening 2.00pm Saturday, 18 August – to a crowded Palm House of the depth of the Association exhibiting in Fragment (from professional textile artist to motivated individual practitioner and first time exhibitor) and the experience Palm House Gallery exhibitions offer ATASDA members. Kirry also spoke about the importance volunteers (and she thanked them) to the success of Fragment.
Liz Williamson, Head, School of Design, College of Fine Arts (COFA), NSW University, officially opened Fragment with insightful comment on fibrearts and ATASDA. Liz followed her comments by cutting through a chocolate and gold ‘spire’ by cake artist, Briar Toose.
ATASDA members appreciated Liz’s words on a glorious Sydney afternoon. Fragment’s success was supported by thousands of viewers over the exhibition period. View the Fragment works for yourself below.
Photography by Ken Manley and Desdemona Foster.
Gallery
Opening
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