News

ATW Patron Baillieu Myer AC continued the celebrations of his special birthday early in 2016 with an afternoon tea hosted by the Board and team of the ATW on 12 April.

The ATW was delighted to welcome a visit from Her Excellency The Honorable Linda Dessau AM, Governor of Victoria on 12 April.

ATW Chair, Peter Williams and Director, Antonia Syme hosted a special dinner event for 50 guests on 6 April who enjoyed a unique dining experience in the ATW’s heritage listed building.

Gordian Knot, is a unique and visually striking circular tapestry based on Turner Prize winning artist, Keith Tyson's original work. The tapestry measures 2.4 x 2.4m and took seven months to weave by ATW weavers Chris Cochius, Sue Batten, Pamela Joyce & Milena Paplinska. Presented by the Friends of the ATW, The Making of Gordian Knot, held at the ATW on March 17, provided an insight into the technical and creative challenges the ATW's artist weavers undertook in interpreting Keith's design. Project leader Chris Cochius and Head Weaver Sue Batten also spoke of their enjoyment of the opportunity to engage in an international collaboration with both the artist and the client based in the UK.

A tribute to our Bobbin maker: Michael Perry – by Cresside Collette.  Last month I was shocked and surprised to learn that Michael is ill with leukaemia, and though he is involved in a brave fight, the long–term prospects are not good. And I started to think about his wonderful contribution to the world of tapestry weaving, the beautiful brass tipped bobbins that he engineered and has supplied to all of us since the 1980s, and the fact that he has very rarely been acknowledged in print for his skill and dedication.

On Tuesday 23 February the ATW celebrated the opening of ATW AIR 2015, a special exhibition features works from 10 diverse and exciting Artists in Residence at the Australian Tapestry Workshop during 2015. Guests received the first viewing of the exhibition and the opportunity to meet the featured artists: Rebekah Archer, Gabrielle New, Phil Ferguson aka Chiliphilly, Yufang Chi, Cat Rabbit, Nicholas Chilvers, Lisa Hilli & Eddy Carol, Nina Magee, and Megan McPherson. We thank our corporate sponsors Shadowfax Wines and Two Birds Brewing for the lovely wines and craft beer served on the night.

Weaving into Wellbeing. The ATW is currently running a 10 week weaving program for patients in the Dialysis Unit at Warrnambool Base Hospital in South West Victoria. Patients have been occupied whilst having their dialysis treatment by learning basic weaving skills from master weaver Marie Cook. The program promotes the therapeutic and creative benefits of weaving with participants creating their own hand-woven christmas angels!

2016 Artists in Residence Announced. The Artist in Residence program invites artists to immerse themselves in the unique studio environment of the ATW. Artists will be given a working space at the ATW, use of ATW yarn & equipment and will be paid to deliver a public talk at the ATW. This year we received a record number of 79 applications for the Artist in Residence program. The selection panel found the task of choosing 16 artists very challenging as the quality of applications was so high.

The ATW celebrated another wonderful year in the art of contemporary tapestry at the ATW Christmas Party held on December 10. We were honoured to have Emeritus Trustee Arnold Hancock join us on the night, who along with Trustees of the Tapestry Foundation of Australia Trustees and ATW Board members welcomed more than 60 of all our valued donors and supporters who all enjoyed the festive spirit of the evening in our unique studio environment. The intriguing work Gordian Knot and Bush Foods designed by Sheena Wilfred were both On the Looms for guests to admire up close and there was plenty of festive fare and joyful conversations.

The Emerald Hill Festival is an annual celebration of the diverse local community in the Emerald Hill Cultural Precinct in and around Bank and Perrins Streets, South Melbourne. Visitors enjoyed over free 50 events and activities including live performances, music, workshops and demonstrations, exhibitions, heritage tours, family activities and international food and dance.