Talks
Please check the Education Programme for availability before booking your talk(s).
Click on a talk title for full details.
Friday 28 April 2:00–3:00pm
Saturday 29 April April 2:00–3:00pm
Saturday 29 April April 3:15–4:15pm
Friday Talks
TA Experimenting With 3D Weaving
Melanie Olde
Friday 28 April 2:00–3:00pm
$15
3D weaving is an exciting field offering opportunities to design within the depth of the fabric as well as the surface.
Melanie Olde is an Australian experimental weaver. Melanie’s work is a three-dimensional interpretation of the research she has undertaken into cellular structures. melanieolde.com
TB Developing a Portfolio
Rene Corder Evans
Friday 28 April 2:00–3:00pm
$15
Submitting a successful portfolio may be the difference between getting a grant or scholarship and not getting it. This presentation will cover tips on how to create a successful portfolio and get your work ready for submission.
Rene has a passion for all things textiles, but specialises in constructing felt garments and weaving, especially weaving that has movement beyond the normal grid. She has a Diploma of Fashion Design from the University of the Fraser Valley, Canada, and went on to become a textile design instructor within the same University. Rene is now retired and divides her time between New Zealand and Canada. Her work can be seen at corderevans.com
TC Understanding Your Spinning Wheel
Shan Wong and Mary Knox
Friday 28 April 2:00–3:00pm
$15
We explore different types of spinning wheel drive mechanisms: spindle, double drive, scotch tension, and bobbin lead. After a brief history, Mary and Shan will show you how different drive mechanisms work, their different qualities, and how to get the best from each one. This presentation will be supported by a display in the have-a-go area on the festival floor, where spinners can try out and experiment with the different wheel setups. You’re welcome to bring your wheels.
Shan and Mary collaborate on running the website nzspinningwheelsinfo.wordpress.com which records details of spinning wheels made in New Zealand by a large number of wheel makers. It’s a body of work Mary started in 2005 resulting in the publication of New Zealand Spinning Wheels and Their Makers. It has helped many spinners identify their wheels.
TD Pleiades: A Woven Narrative
Patricia Armour
Friday 28 April 2:00–3:00pm
$15
My slide presentation will focus on my exhibition, Pleiades: A Woven Narrative which was exhibited at Toi Gallery, Pātaka Art + Museum in May/June 2022. I will talk about how I took the Greek myth of Orion and the Pleiades and presented my own interpretation of the theme through the ancient artform of tapestry. Working on the tapestries over a period of six years, I’ve given the myth a modern twist with a few deviations along the way. I will discuss my design method and interpretation of the designs into weave.
I’ve been weaving tapestries for over 30 years, and have exhibited widely in New Zealand and overseas. My work is influenced strongly by the art of the Pre-Raphaelites. tapestryartist.co.nz
Links to Patricia’s social media pages can be found on her website.
Saturday Talks
TE Biomimicry In Weaving
Melanie Olde
Saturday 29 April 2:00–3:00pm
$15
Nature builds in three dimensions, and so can weaving.
Melanie Olde is an Australian experimental weaver. Melanie’s work is a three-dimensional interpretation of the research she has undertaken into cellular structures.
melanieolde.com
TF Funding Options Available From Creative New Zealand
Saturday 29 April 2:00–3:00pm
$15
Officials from Creative New Zealand will outline the funding available for both groups and individual artists and craft practitioners and explain the application process.
Creative New Zealand is a Crown entity governed by the Arts Council. The council encourages, promotes and supports New Zealand arts to benefit all New Zealanders. It upholds the right to artistic freedom and promotes a New Zealand identity in the arts. creativenz.govt.nz
TG Weaving a Sustainable Future
Carol Oldfield
Saturday 29 April 3:15–4:15pm
$15
The story of my recent post graduate study looking at the traditional values and applications of handwoven fabric, using sustainable practices to design and create a contemporary fashion collection aimed at a New Zealand market.
I took up weaving around 20 years ago, starting with scarves, throws, and household items, but soon found a love for weaving fabric lengths. Initially I used commercial patterns, but soon realised I wanted to design my own garments suited to my precious handwoven fabric. I undertook a Bachelor of Fashion over three years at Wintec in 2016, going on to study for my Masters in Textiles in 2020.
preciousthreads.nz/ | Facebook: Precious Threads | instagram.com/precious_threadsnz
TH Down the Garden Path: Inspiration – where do the ideas come from?
Mary Self
Saturday 29 April 3:15–4:15pm
$15
Sometimes there is a flash of an idea that results in a piece of design or an art work very quickly, but mostly it is a case of exploring and sampling ideas and themes until it clicks into place. Mary will show, with samples and pictures, some common themes that she returns to again and again for inspiration. Colour, textiles, plants and flowers, found objects and the influence of other artists. Then comes the creative fun of working on a piece until the magic moment of resolution.
Mary graduated with her Bachelor of Design in Textiles in 1999, following over a decade of corporate life as a Systems Engineer at IBM. Having owned Nancy’s Stitch Studio for 22 years, she is now continuing the online and wholesale sales of Jennifer Pudney Kits, Strand yarn and her own designs. She is also loving time to continue developing her own design and art practice.
maryself.nz
