Empress Wu Designs with Wilma

" Prudence is a virtue that has two eyes, one that foresees what one has to do, the other examines afterwards what one has done. "   ... Telemachus, the son of Odysseus displays the characteristics of caution yet good judgement in the classical tale, and this textile tower is a validation of discretion and sensible reasoning in decision making. Recalling the above quotation, it is ironic that I created a figurative depiction of Telemachus, with both eyes closed yet the symbolic 'armour" is covered with a pattern of eyes.  Telemachus appears as a smaller figure than the sculptures of Penelope and Odysseus, his mother and father as if his development is incomplete. The tower has three vertical poles and is the least complex of the three in construction and detailed work.  The tower  "walls" feature images of  maps and stitched directional aids to assist "careful planning" and the avoidance of unnecessary risks. Anc...

Last weekend, I was very privileged to be one of the tutors at the NCEATA (Newcastle Creative Embroiderers and Textile Artists) creative Retreat at Kurri. My workshop was entitled “Felted Fashion and Fallalery’ (fallalery is the creation of useless, trifling items). Here are some of my samples – the Compass Doll series. South Seas,  Western Landscape, Northern Lights, East Wind. These were made using the plastic resist method, wet felted merino wool  and silk. The faces are polymer clay, and the bodies embellished with simple embroidery, beads, metal pieces, sequins   My workshop group was thirteen talented and enthusiastic women, including a delightful student who made some wonderful accessories for her HSC textile art.   We were all very productive, had lots of fun and enjoyed one another’s company and artistic support.   The venue was the TAFE campus at Kurri Kurri, with wonderful accommodation facilities and great food at the Conference ...