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Small Mercies:Flora Friedmann, Glenese Keavney & Meri Peach

‘Small mercies’ joint exhibition.

This exhibition of contemporary baskets and fibre showcases the work of three NSW makers who have a close relationship with each other, and who have responded jointly and individually to the theme of “small mercies”. The pieces range from functional vessels to wall art and sculptures. Each of the artists is dealing with challenging circumstances and themes. Their work represents both a response and a remedy to dark times.

Glenese Keavney

The theme began in response to unacceptable news that a family member was critically ill.  I descended into a very dark place not able to make sense of this.

Discovering the book ‘Silent Spaces’ by Chris Drury I was touched by his story of the Medicine Wheel. It had begun when he was walking in the stubble fields and bent down to pick up 2 feathers. He “realised instantly that (he) should make a work by doing just that: picking something up off the earth every day for a year to make an object calendar”. He called it ‘Medicine Wheel’

My response was to make a similar kind of medicine for myself – finding something each day that opened me to life.  Sometimes tomatoes ripening on the kitchen ledge, seeing the moon afresh in the night sky; inspiring words I read; spending time with my precious grandchildren. I called it collecting ‘Small Mercies’ to keep the darkness at bay.

The ‘Small Mercies’ journey for me was about a growing appreciation for the multitude of small things, the daily gifts, which if I open to them, offer them my attention, keep me in touch with life; keep me alive.  Finding that I was filled with gratitude.

It found expression in medicine baskets, memory sticks, children’s clothing, worry traps, and protection pockets

Flora Freidmann

‘Small Mercies’ are the things (people/feelings/acts etc) that bolster us through the hard times and keep us afloat.  They’re the things that can’t prevent sadness, unpleasantness, pain or disaster from happening but make it easier to bear.  They give us strength, hope and comfort.  Quite often these small mercies are unexpected which makes them even more precious and appreciated.

Some of my baskets represent our feelings in these difficult times such as ‘All at Sea’ and ‘Life’s Like That!’. Others represent actual ‘Small Mercies’ such as ‘That Gentle Touch’ and ‘The Calm Before the Storm’.  Lastly, others reflect how small mercies make us feel e.g. ‘Look on The Bright Side’ e.g. a smile or a hug from someone can be uplifting.

Meri Peach

Life presents many challenges.  Sometimes we find comfort in unexpected places, and sometimes our lives are buoyed up by elements and forces we are unaware of, or even dismiss as unimportant. All life on earth is supported by microscopic, uncharismatic organisms.  New biological interactions can arise from negative events such as pollution, and some species may triumph through adversity.  Humour helps to get us through hard times.  My pieces in ‘Small Mercies’ are a desperately whimsical response to the overwhelming problems experienced by a planet suffocating in human waste.

This exhibition Small Mercies opens 6- 8 pm 20 February until 16 March 2014

Find out more about Freida, Meredith and Glenese

Small Mercies:Flora Friedmann, Glenese Keavney & Meri Peach

‘Small mercies’ joint exhibition.

This exhibition of contemporary baskets and fibre showcases the work of three NSW makers who have a close relationship with each other, and who have responded jointly and individually to the theme of “small mercies”. The pieces range from functional vessels to wall art and sculptures. Each of the artists is dealing with challenging circumstances and themes. Their work represents both a response and a remedy to dark times.

Glenese Keavney

The theme began in response to unacceptable news that a family member was critically ill.  I descended into a very dark place not able to make sense of this.

Discovering the book ‘Silent Spaces’ by Chris Drury I was touched by his story of the Medicine Wheel. It had begun when he was walking in the stubble fields and bent down to pick up 2 feathers. He “realised instantly that (he) should make a work by doing just that: picking something up off the earth every day for a year to make an object calendar”. He called it ‘Medicine Wheel’

My response was to make a similar kind of medicine for myself – finding something each day that opened me to life.  Sometimes tomatoes ripening on the kitchen ledge, seeing the moon afresh in the night sky; inspiring words I read; spending time with my precious grandchildren. I called it collecting ‘Small Mercies’ to keep the darkness at bay.

The ‘Small Mercies’ journey for me was about a growing appreciation for the multitude of small things, the daily gifts, which if I open to them, offer them my attention, keep me in touch with life; keep me alive.  Finding that I was filled with gratitude.

It found expression in medicine baskets, memory sticks, children’s clothing, worry traps, and protection pockets

Flora Freidmann

‘Small Mercies’ are the things (people/feelings/acts etc) that bolster us through the hard times and keep us afloat.  They’re the things that can’t prevent sadness, unpleasantness, pain or disaster from happening but make it easier to bear.  They give us strength, hope and comfort.  Quite often these small mercies are unexpected which makes them even more precious and appreciated.

Some of my baskets represent our feelings in these difficult times such as ‘All at Sea’ and ‘Life’s Like That!’. Others represent actual ‘Small Mercies’ such as ‘That Gentle Touch’ and ‘The Calm Before the Storm’.  Lastly, others reflect how small mercies make us feel e.g. ‘Look on The Bright Side’ e.g. a smile or a hug from someone can be uplifting.

Meri Peach

Life presents many challenges.  Sometimes we find comfort in unexpected places, and sometimes our lives are buoyed up by elements and forces we are unaware of, or even dismiss as unimportant. All life on earth is supported by microscopic, uncharismatic organisms.  New biological interactions can arise from negative events such as pollution, and some species may triumph through adversity.  Humour helps to get us through hard times.  My pieces in ‘Small Mercies’ are a desperately whimsical response to the overwhelming problems experienced by a planet suffocating in human waste.

This exhibition Small Mercies opens 6- 8 pm 20 February until 16 March 2014

Find out more about Freida, Meredith and Glenese

Date

11 Apr 2018
Expired!

Time

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Timeless Textiles Gallery

Phone: (02) 4926 5888       Visit: 90 Hunter St, Newcastle East

Timeless Textiles Gallery is a centre of fibre and textile art based in the beautiful Hunter region of NSW, Australia - showcasing Fibre Art, through exhibitions, workshops and a galleryshop.

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