Members of the Tweed Valley Artists’ Co-operative are exhibiting in October, in a celebration of the tactile nature of textile art – Touched and Felt.
Visitors to the exhibition can enjoy a vibrant and colourful show, participate in classes and watch the artists at work – ‘Quilting Doctor’ Shauna Purser, ‘Beanieologist’ Meggan Jack, ‘Beanie Queen – Alice Springs Beaniefest’ founder Adi Dunlop and ‘Bead Weaver’ Prudence Morrison.
To Megg, life is all about colour and texture. From the soft pale colours of a misty dawn to the vibrant hues of the ocean and rust-coloured rock.
A Beanieologist since 1987, Megg relishes the Alice Springs Beaniefest competition. Having a theme really stretches her imagination and reveals surprising end results that she may never have imagined.
Needle-felting has become a passion; onto her hats and other reclaimed pre-loved shawls, currently working on a series of 3D needle-felted sculptures of the volcanic Mt Warning Caldera, viewable as works in progress.
Shauna enjoys manipulating fabric to create collages that are then further embellished with free-motion quilting, thread painting, hand stitching and beading. She has worked prolifically, designed and created original bed quilts and art quilts, and has recently purchased a long-arm quilting machine to further extend her work and to offer a machine quilting service. She is now a ‘Quilt Doctor’ as well as a medical GP.
In line with her strong viewpoints on caring for the environment, she uses recycled fabrics sourced in op shops, and creates rag rugs, cushions and bags. She finds inspiration in nature, and in the bright colours of this beautiful region.
In this exhibition Shauna will showcase antique and vintage quilts that she has lovingly restored and completed, honouring the quilting traditions and quiltmakers of yesterday.
Adi Dunlop, living high up in Springbrook, is the founder of the iconic Alice Springs Beaniefest, co-ordinated by her niece Jo. Not content with that achievement, Adi is developing a needle-felting business for Indigenous women, for storytelling through wearable art. A gentle soul, Adi has boundless energy for passing on her textile skills.
Her latest works have been up-cycling op-shop treasures into stunning capes, vests and hats that really have to be seen as well as felt.
Prudence, also living high up in the rainforest beneath Mt Warning, weaves beads in fascinating patterns. Taught by Grandmother Wind Hawk 20 years ago, Prudence has been given permission to create her own new designs, using the traditional methods, on a bead-weaving loom. She will display some of her older pieces along with her latest creations.
Later, you can also see some of their work back in the Co-op gallery ‘Viridian’, in the Tyalgum village hall, the scenic heart of the Caldera, while getting up close to the magnificent mountain rim.
The Touched and Felt exhibition will run from October 11 to 21 in the old Hall in Queen St, Murwillumbah,
For more information, photos, classes and bookings visit the Touched and Felt Facebook page.
