From Textile Trove to Fabric Folk Tales

TEXTILE TALES: Nundle artist Natasha Soonchild is working on a new series of soft sculptures crafted from recycled fabrics (photo: supplied)

A NUNDLE-BASED artist has dusted off a collection of discarded fabrics to transform into new works during the COVID-19 closure of arts venues, in an ‘at-home’ residency supported by a micro grant from Arts North West.

Natasha Soonchild lives and practices her art from Stormcrow Studio. From there she’s been exploring and developing three-dimensional works using materials and techniques unfamiliar to her.

“I am also researching and developing an at-home sewing kit utilising recycled textiles,” she told Arts North West.

“I have found it to be quite challenging working in a new medium!

“Over many years I have collected discarded textiles with the aim of creating soft-sculptures, so I do not lack the raw materials. It is the nature of those materials and how to manipulate them that I am having to learn about.

“There have been lots of experiments and trial-and-error.” Natasha Soonchild

According to Natasha the learning process has involved online courses in raised embroidery, and textile toy design and pattern creation.

“This is the first time I have used an online platform for learning,” she said.

“I am gaining a wealth of knowledge in the specific skills and also developing an understanding of online learning, skills building and sharing resources.

“It has been great research for the at-home sewing kit I am developing as part of this project.”

Visual inspiration

While undertaking her project, Natasha – a sculptor, designer, painter, printmaker and recycler – has been researching a selection of traditional English and Scottish ballads collected by American folklorist Francis James Child, referred to as the ‘Child Ballads’.

“I have always been fascinated by folk tales and wanted to frame my project through the lens of the characters, creatures and themes that feature in these ballads,” she said.

“This research has also led me to reach back into my own memory of folk tales I read as a child which were inhabited with witches, selkies and changelings, and has proven to be a wealth of visual inspiration.

“I am looking forward to sharing my depictions of these stories through soft sculptural forms.”

The results of Natasha’s project will be presented on her social media accounts (instagram: @stormcrow_studio / facebook: @stormcrowstudionundle). She will also post an online portfolio of the project on her website: www.stormcrowstudio.com along with the at-home sewing kit for sale.

ARTIST VIEWS OF THE PANORAMA PROJECT

Artist Maree Kelly’s favourite view from the top of Long Mountain, Curlewis (Image supplied by Maree Kelly)

932 SKETCHBOOKS have made their way out across the New England North West as part of Arts North West’s Panorama Project.

Arts North West were also able to pay 10 emerging and professional artists to be part of this historic project. With over 30 applications, the following artists were successful:

• Nadia Kliendanze, Inverell

• Maree Kelly, Gunnedah

• Carmel Higgins, Tenterfield

• Paula Jenkins, Walcha

• James O’Hanlon, Armidale

• Trish Petersen, Armidale

• Jan Clark, Rocky River

• Joanne Stead, Tamworth

• Isabelle Devos, Armidale

• Sophie Masson, Armidale

“I was delighted to be involved with the project as I thought it was a great initiative from Arts North West to engage with the many creative people living in our region during such a hard time for the arts community in particular. The project was a great way to help keep people inspired and working creatively” said Gunnedah based artist, Maree Kelly.

Arts North West recognised this time of national self-isolation meant countless creative workshops and opportunities have been cut off, postponed or cancelled. To meet this challenge, the organisation took a scheduled project off the drawing table and reconfigured it as a community project for people to do at home.

“For me personally, I found joy in going back to basics and working in a small sketchbook with drawing media. I found myself rediscovering my ‘backyard’ and looking more closely at my environment, which I most definitely take a bit too much for granted. It was fabulous to have something to focus on to keep the creativity flowing and to start developing ideas for new work in my own arts practice.” Ms Kelly continued.

Arts North West Executive Director, Caroline Downer has been overwhelmed by the success of the project.

“Even though this project spans across 12 council areas and thousands of kilometers, there is a real sense of community and connectiveness involved with this project” Ms Downer said.

“We were thrilled with the EOI applications we received, and the recipients are a great reflection of the quality and diversity of the New England North West creative landscape.” She continued.

The Panorama Project will begin its tour around the New England North West libraries starting around September. Follow the Arts North West Facebook page for more details.

Does your portfolio need some work? Arts North West is here to help!

We are looking to boost our wonderful Arts North West Connect website, an online directory listing exploring the artist studios, galleries, museums and other

cultural venues and experiences of the New England North West region of New South Wales.

We are looking for 10 artists from the New England North West to work with Arts North West in developing their artist portfolio and online presence via Arts North West professional development workshops and the Arts North West Connect website.

What we will give you:

• Access to 2 professional development workshops (Gift of the Gab – Creating an Awesome Artist Statement and Setting up a Simple Online Shop),

• A one-on-one session with ANW to develop your content AND:

• 2 years free Arts North West Connect membership (Usually $99 per annum and includes: Member profile page on the website. This webpage can be updated at any time by the member and can include all member information including upcoming events and images; Member venue included on the online arts trails component of this website; A professional development and networking event coordinated and facilitated by Arts North West; Signage for your ANW Connect venue; Access to ANW Arts Trails and Open Weekends. ANW Connect members can participate at a nominal charge. A promotional pack including maps and banners are supplied to each participating venue)

Please fill out the form here or send an email addressing the criteria to media@artsnw.com.au. Due COB 31 July.

Tech boost lets performance group shine

ZOOM STAR: Josh Ewen gets to grips with online rehearsals (photo: supplied)

AN INVERELL performance project that puts artists living with a disability centre stage has taken its platform online as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and with the help of a micro grant from Arts North West, the group has found the virtual rehearsal room has expanded its horizons.

Stephanie Marshall is the creative director of Unstop-Ability, described as “a celebration of ability and inclusion”. She spoke with Arts North West about the collaborative nature of a venture that brings artists and audiences together, those who identify as living with a disability, and those who don’t.

“The restrictions brought about by Covid-19 have meant that I can’t meet with my participants in person,” she said. “I applied for a micro grant to roll out the Zoom app as a platform to allow my collaborating artists to still engage with each other and work towards our next performance”.

“I have been working with my participants now for around three months on the Zoom platform. Many live with a disability and are among the most economically challenged groups in our community.

“We have found that it is an effective tool to allow for collaboration and connection, but there have been technical challenges,” she said.

Overcoming hurdles

Featuring the performances of around 60 youth and adults of all abilities from the Inverell area, Unstop-Ability asks audiences and participants to focus on ability.

“On what we can do, not what we can’t,” the group’s Facebook description states. “It is inclusion turned on its head, because we invite people into somebody else’s world to widen our perspectives on creativity.”

The group has been thrilling audiences since 2018, with dance, sound and light, but according to Stephanie, having fast and reliable internet is the group’s “biggest concern” when faced with not being able to meet in person.

“Many of the participants need to access public Wi-Fi, which during the strictest Covid restrictions found places like McDonald’s restaurants and public libraries closed,” she said.

“However, despite the limitations, it’s been an overwhelmingly positive experience, with a lot of potential for continued use beyond Covid restrictions.

“Many of my participants are in remote rural communities, and it’s not always possible for them to get into Inverell to attend live rehearsals. Zoom allows them to still be connected and contributors despite the distance and their disability.

“It’s been a surprising thing to see how open the participants are to trying this new technology, and how easy the Zoom meeting lends itself to a rehearsal scenario.”

Find and follow Unstop-Ability on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unstopability/