Exhibition Panic

Some of the 108 little polymer clay heads I made and have stitched into one of my exhibition pieces,
entitled "Pillars of Patience", depicting the 108 suitors of Penelope from "The Odysssey - WS 2016

With only five weeks to set up , I have a severe case of exhibition panic. Very few pieces of work completed and to make the situation more complex, is the pressure I'm feeling embarking on my first collaborative exhibition. There are lots of warnings from artists about the pitfalls of collaborating for an exhibition. However, I am one of the lucky ones ... I chose an artist friend, Bobbi Oliver who is not only talented but has an amazing work ethic and produces absolutely stunning sculptures quickly. Not sure how Bobbi feels, but I am suspecting she might be thinking she has stepped into a scenario a bit like this, described by Cissi Tsang ... We haven't had a difference of opinion. we haven;t stamped around like raging dinosaurs. We haven't come to a stalemate. However, I have worked very very slowly.

"A collaborative exhibition only works as well as the participants. The more people that are involved, the more opinions – and the greater the likelihood of disagreements. What starts out as a difference of opinion can devolve into immense butt hurt. This can derail the exhibition as people start spending more of their time stamping like a herd of angry dinosaurs. Or you might end up with a stalemate, with various people refusing to compromise. Then there’s the risk not everyone shares the same work ethic – or possess any work ethic, at all. Things are done slowly, or not done at all. You might end up having to take on extra responsibilities to pick up the slack." from https://contrastly.com

What am I doing spending precious moments writing about my state of mind when I should be creating ? Posting a few photos to prove to all , me especially, that I am making progress! These are only previews, Sorry I can't show really how much progress I have really made. Yes, Bobbi, I have finished a few! I'll be ready by 19 May!

Close up of "Pyramid of Prudence " - hand dyed fabric and digital print on fabric . WS 2016

Close up of "Pyramid of Prudence" - figure of Telemachus semi visible. WS 2016

' Growing Up" One of my handmade artist books for the exhibition
eco dyed paper, assorted fabrics, hand stitching and photo print on fabric. WS 2016

Too Precious to Waste

Stitched tea bags/ old doily "tea lights" - Wilma Simmons More than a year ago, a decision was made. The annual exhibition of NCEATA ( Newcastle Creative Embroiderers and Textile Artists) 2015-2016 will have the theme "Mottainai". Mottainai in Japanese refers to more than just physical waste (resources). It is even used to refer to thought patterns that give rise to wasteful action. Grammatically, it can be used in Japanese as an exclamation ("mottainai!") or as an adjective phrase ("it feels mottainai"). There is no plural form. The collection of mottainai things could be called mottainai koto ( もったいない事 ? ). As an exclamation ("mottainai!") it means roughly "what a waste!" or "Don't waste." [2] A simple English equivalent is the saying "waste not, want not." A more elaborate meaning conveys a sense of value and worthiness and may be translated as "do not destroy (or lay waste to) that

Fish and Sticks : Art Dolls

This week I've been working on fish and sticks .... The sticks are the message stick art dolls which were very popular, attracting some attention and a few orders at the Wise Women exhibition. Each of the message stick dolls are from the Wise Women series, each with her own personality and message of wisdom, handwritten on a handmade timber tag. I gather the sticks during my walks around my neighbourhood and the tags are made from special bits of timber, some collected by me or my husband or from off cuts gifted to us from another doll making friend whose husband makes bagpipes. These dolls start off very simply with a wrap around a stick, in the general shape of a body. 'Naked" message stick dolls - strips of wadding wrapped around found sticks. Then I usually wrap other layers of fabric, wool, and/or fibres, over which I do some simple embroidery. I sculpt or mould small face masks for these dolls. I really like using "sari ribbon" as wrapping str

Wednesday's Child /2

Work in Progress - 3 of the 193 for "Stitched Up"- Wilma Simmons The work for the "Stitched Up " Project continues. See the previous "Wednesday Child" post for the background to this art project celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Newcastle Industrial School. I have been documenting the progress of my work, so I thought it might be interesting to share some of the early stages of the "stick dolls" ... Here are some of the beginning steps.. Sticks collected while walking the bushland in my neighbourhood Drying and getting rid of any insects - oven heat 75 degreesC for approx 1-2 hours. Trimmed and cut if necessary Ends sealed with matte sealing solution. Drying - solution goes on white but dries clear. First wrapping - foil to create a body shape Second wrapping - stretch fabric. Third wrapping - fabric strips Some stitching - more stitching and embellishment to come. Follow thi

Empress Wu Designs with Wilma

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