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.

Childhood Home inspires Care and Creativity

DOMESTIC SCENES: Armidale artist Leah Bullen is working on a series of drawings inspired by her childhood home (photo: supplied)

AN ARTIST living and working in Armidale has turned her attention to the details of domesticity during the COVID-19 ‘lockdown’, embarking on an at-home residency made possible with a micro grant from Arts North West.

Leah Bullen cares for her elderly mother and “needed to stay at home with her due to increased caring duties,” she told Arts North West.

“I have been visually recording scenes from my neighbourhood and the daily activities of my family home.

“I’m making a series of drawings and paintings on paper that refer to the everyday and the domestic.” Leah Bullen

According to Leah, the residency has provided her with the opportunity to make work by paying attention to both the caring process, and the world she grew up in.

“As I could not maintain a safe social distance from her due to my caring duties, the initial phase of the lockdown meant that I rarely left home,” she explained.

Leah Bullen Community Garden (photo: supplied)

“During this time, the world outside receded, while the quiet and domestic sphere of my childhood home became a constant backdrop.

“I have approached this project through observing, photographing, drawing and visually recording daily activities and my home environment.

“This documentation includes a variety of subjects, such as interiors, domestic vignettes, home and garden landscapes as well as documenting everyday activities during lockdown,” she said.

Return to drawing

A graduate of the School of Art and Design and the Australian National University, Leah told Arts North West that she’s been developing a hybrid approach to her art in recent years, based on watercolour painting and monotypes.

“This process usually involves the use of a relief-printing press,” she explained.

“COVID-19 has meant that I do not currently have access to this printmaking equipment.

“Though challenging, this situation has provided me with the opportunity to use this home residency time to return to drawing, experimenting with mark making and more direct approaches to working.”

Follow updates from Lea’s studio on Instagram: @leah.bullen

Leah Bullen Saturday Morning (photo: supplied)