THE Fibre Artists Network (FAN) exhibition, Abstraction in Action, on show now until 5 November at Nexus Community Gallery, Bellingen demonstrates the variety the genre allows.
Each of the 12 participating artists has chosen to represent the theme in her own unique way and the viewer is invited to construct their own interpretation.
Fibre art bridges the gap between traditional handicraft and contemporary fine art.
Through employing the elements of design (line, texture and colour), the essential qualities of fibre can be manipulated in various ways to produce art.
Members work with a huge variety of fibres that are manipulated in different ways by individual artists, FAN spokesperson Vana Ford told News Of The Area.
“For example, we have weavers using plant materials and weavers using yarns such as wool, cotton or silk.
“In turn, fibres such as wool, cotton or silk can be dyed, knitted, sewn with a needle or machine, or turned into felt.
“Paper is another fibre-valuable material for the fibre artist.
“It can be dyed, painted, torn and stitched.”
The possibilities are endless, she said.
Their motto: “Technique, colour, imagination and humour along with presentation give the collaboration of our works excitement, variety and intrigue”.
The exhibition idea grew from a weekend workshop, of the same name, guided by textile artist Brenda Gael Smith.
Free to enter, the exhibition features a Meet the Artist event at noon on Sunday 11 October where the participating fibre artists will be on hand to discuss their work and techniques.
The FAN has been in action since the late 1990s, when a group of like-minded people met at each other’s homes to talk and create fibre arts.
Today the membership stretches from Coffs Harbour to Laurieton.
FAN members recognise the importance of textiles in Women’s History.
“We have a shared respect for the versatility of textiles and love fibres for their tactile quality, often reusing and recycling or gathering from our own gardens.
“Fibre arts can be ecologically and environmentally friendly.”
Incorporated in 2006, before the current resurgence in interest in fibre arts, the artists consider their work to be innovative and fresh.
Members work together towards increasing skills and knowledge around fibre arts and exhibiting their work.
For more information visit: www.fibreartistsnetwork.org.au
By Andrea FERRARI
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