New exhibition brings challenging concepts to light.

Local fibre artist Bronwyn Greive’s return to Timeless Textiles Gallery sees her mount a thought-provoking show, Elucidation, that sheds light on two different but equally fascinating concepts.

Opening in August, Elucidation explores two subjects – one esoteric, the other in the physical world – that have captivated this accomplished artist. Elucidation is defined as ‘to make something clear, to throw light on, to explain…..’, which is what Bronwyn seeks to do with her responses to the two subjects behind her artworks.

She has used a toolbox of textiles techniques to bring into the light two stories encountered on an inspiring journey and to make clear the ideas and concepts behind them.

The first, contained in one room of Timeless Textiles Gallery, relates to a custom the artist discovered in Nagaland, in far north-eastern India.

“A person of wealth can choose to hold a festival – the Feast of Merit – where all are invited to share in their wealth”, she explains. “The feast lasts until everything of value has been shared, after which the person is given a golden cloak, as a symbol of the respect and gratitude of the community.”

The exhibition takes us from the golden cloak that symbolises selflessness and commitment to community, to a second room in the Gallery that houses “Rainforest re-view”, a textile sculptural work.

The Elucidation presented by the artist in this large three-panel work is into the habitat of the sub-tropical rainforest. Bronwyn reveals the forest’s fascinating history, its lushness and the danger it faces in the modern world. Her statement about its vulnerability is cunningly revealed in the work in the pages of a slightly-open book.

Elucidation  opens 6-8pm on 18 August and is on show at Timeless Textiles Gallery from 17 August- 11 September.

Natural world reflected in Textile Odyssey.

Hunter-based fibre artist Bronwyn Grieve uses the natural world as the inspiration for a new exhibition, Textile Odyssey, which is showing at Timeless Textiles Gallery in Islington on 19 April 2012.

“From an early age, my art-making has been both play and work for me,” Bronwyn said. “Art plays an important part in human existence and it’s very satisfying to manipulate different mediums in pursuit of an idea and create something that takes on a life of its own.”

Referencing nature and using natural fibres are themes for Grieve, who is currently studying Natural History and Illustration at The University of Newcastle.

“My studies are helping me to learn from others, hone my skills and observations, and increase my respect for and knowledge of the natural world. My ideas are inspired by nature, social issues, by other artists, events which happen around me or from deep within me. I love playing and responding to these stimuli in a physical expression.”

Art is life to Grieve, who says she has never met an art medium she doesn’t enjoy exploring.

“Textiles are my favourite, however. Within textiles there are so many possible processes producing fantastic results, so why not explore them all?”

For the Textile Odyssey exhibition, the artist has drawn on inspiration from multiple sources – people she’s met, stories, art works and above all from nature. As the ideas germinated, Grieve explored techniques to best express them and embodied concepts in unique and imaginative pieces.

“Whether I create something that is wearable, free-standing sculpture, furnishings or hangings, it is a reflective and personal process aiming to produce a work with broader application for others,” she said. “This exhibition mirrors such a range of inspirations and techniques, creating a Textile Odyssey.”

The exhibition opened on 29 March and continues until 15 April 2012

“The Hunter is home to a surprising number of leading textile artists whose work I will feature alongside national and international artists in our inaugural new exhibition, “Revealed: Uncovering the Beauty of Fibre Art” which opens Thursday 25^thAugust and runs for 3 weeks. This opening exhibition will introduce eighteen of the artists who will be featured in solo exhibitions over coming months.

The inaugural exhibition will be opened by the well known Fine Art Program Convenor  at University of Newcastle Dr Kathryn Grushka.

“There is increasing interest and appreciation of the fine skills involved in creating beautiful textiles, the ability to transform fibres into exquisite forms of art.

Building on Newcastle’s avant-garde approaches to art, Timeless Textiles will focus on new works by local and international textile artists using techniques such as felting, dyeing, quilting, surface embellishment and design as well as  and fibre jewellery. As well as the art featured during exhibitions there will be a selection of pieceswhich would make unusual and beautiful gifts, suitable for all budgets.

“I have created a space especially designed for fibre art to expose the fine skills of textile artists and to claim its place as a collectable and desirableart form,” said Kempton. “There is increasing interest and appreciation of the fine skills involved in creating beautiful textiles.  This Gallery will also offer workshops for people interesting in learning the processes involved in fibre art.”

The workshops will provide an opportunity for anyone interested to experience the wonder of fibre art and textile design in a day workshop – on your own or with your friends. “This is a chance for people to learn new skills, brush up on their techniques and most importantly to enjoy themselves” enthused Anne “I hope to see you there!”