Artists collaborate on a voyage of discovery and archaeology of Finds.

New South Wales North Coast artists Anne Leon and Liz Powell unearth the remnants of the past on the sea shore and on the shore of the vanished inland sea in a new exhibition opening at Newcastle’s Timeless Textiles Gallery in December.

In the Finds exhibition, Anne and Liz use a range of materials to portray the evocative nature of the found objects and everyday items whether washed up, uncovered in a sand dune or hidden at the back of an ancient cupboard. Referencing a fascination with archeaology they take the idea of Finds and apply it to things strolled past on the strand and walked over in the bush, things natural and things man made.

Archaeology is the study of history through the excavation of sites and the analysis of physical remains. It tells us stories. Anne and Liz investigate the everyday, from an uncommon and whimsical perspective in this exhibition.

“We wanted to explore and tell stories through the excavation of non-traditional sites and physical remains in non-traditional ways”. Places of personal significance or resonance, for Anne the beach, for Liz the floor of the ancient inland sea  have histories and can be excavated though they may be transient and ephemeral.

In this exhibition the artists construct an alternative archive of histories. They emulate the mixed-media approach of archaeology, which uses graphs, detailed drawings, cross referencing with previous finds, and involves photographers, draftsmen, conservators, botanists. Working with watercolour, etching, screen printing, fabric and constructions, they build their macro histories. They unpack the past differently, in collaborative and solo works.

 The Finds exhibition runs from 14-24 December, with the opening from 6-8pm on 17 December..

‘Made by Hand, Signed by Nature’ exhibition

A new exhibition by textile artist Ann Leon, to be held at Newcastle’s Timeless Textiles Gallery in March 2015, showcases the diverse and skilful techniques acquired by the artist during her travels.

Made by Hand, Signed by Natureincludes work that reflects Leon’s development of techniques that push the boundaries of traditional modalities. The resulting collection is rich in texture, imagery and design

Leon says her recent return to Africa inspired work that embodies traditional African imagery.

“I’ve printed African-inspired designs over base-cloths, dyed with Australian plants and hand-made into home-wares, artworks and scarves,” she said.

“Plant-dyeing is my favourite form of working with nature, and my recent work incorporates a background colour in my dyeing process, which augments the subtle imprints derived from the natural world, adding another layer of depth to the work.”

Vintage imagery has also been a long-term favourite source of inspiration for Leon, who has used it in an interesting combination over dyed or distressed screen-printed backgrounds, shown in cushions, artworks and scarves.

“This exhibition is a testament to my love of nature and the pleasure I derive from using the many different techniques I have developed on my artistic journey, and making useful, beautiful work, that I hope will be enjoyed by visitors to Timeless Textiles,” Leon said.

The Made by Hand, Signed by Nature exhibition opens at 6-8pm on 22 January 2015 and continues until 15 February 2015.

Food meets fibre in Taste of Textiles exhibition.

Taste of Textiles, is being launched Saturday 12th December 2014, at Newcastle’s Timeless Textiles Gallery, which celebrates a passion for humble and exotic, seasonal food and the rich textures of fibre arts.

Taste of Textiles exhibition brings together work from 20 fibre artists from around the world displaying their passion for textile art, cooking and growing food. This creative venture will appeal to everyone with a love of food and a flair for the creative. Artists contributing to Taste of Textiles include Nicola Henley, Marjolein Dallinga, Polly Stirling, Sylvia Watt, Glenys Mann, Judy Hooworth and Meredith Woolnough to name a few.

The contributing artists have represented a variety of vivid produce in their works, including the humble potato, mulberries, beetroot, saffron and rose petals. Each has created a visual narrative based on and inspired by their love for that particular produce.

Inspired by the artists’ passion, local cook Bev Whitehead has created and tested simple recipes to mirror the artworks. These include lemon myrtle spelt shortbread, chilli jelly, fig affogato, pomegranate with rosewater jelly with Persian Fairy Floss.

A limited edition boxed set containing stunning images of the both the final dishes and the artwork that inspired them, beautifully captured by local photographer Garrick Muntz is also available at the opening.

Opening: by Janet De Boer at 2pm, Saturday, 13 Decemberand continues until 23 December 2014.

‘Visual Narratives of a Capricious Nature’ exhibition- Anne Leon.

This whimsical collection of work by South African-born Australian Anne Leon represents her passion for textiles. Over the last 30 years, Anne has explored many techniques, including silkscreen and block-printing, painting, batik, shibori and dyeing.

She has earned numerous large commissions, from interior designers, architects and couturiers, both nationally and internationally.

“Most recently, my work draws on the unique beauty of nature, using a combination of innovative plant-dyeing techniques and water-based screen-printing,” comments Anne.

She continues, “The need to implement ecologically sustainable practices and maintain integrity in my work has been the catalyst for my focus: to create artwork, clothing and homewares that embody these principles.

The plant-dyeing is particularly fascinating, as the nuances of mark-making are unpredictable and individual, as each leaf imprints onto cloth, with a kind of botanical alchemy. Each piece is a unique work of art, signed by nature.”

This exhibition opens on 29 March 6pm- 8pm and continues until 15 April 2012