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