Artists in HopeVale expanded their textile and printing knowledge through an intensive week-long development workshop led by experienced industry experts.
The artists further developed skills in techniques including printing with ezy carve, basics of water colour, the use of composition and brush techniques on acrylic on canvas and silk painting.
The artists created distinct paintings with the explicit intention of transferring the works to textiles.
Supported by Queensland Government's Backing Indigenous Arts (BIA) initiative, a staged approach to delivering weekly workshops was implemented over an extended period of time to allow artists learnings to be reinforced, refined and continually developed.
From July 2016 – June 2017 in HopeVale, Cairns (CIAF), Darwin (DAAF), Canberra and Brisbane
$15,000 - Indigenous Regional Arts Development Fund partnership between Arts Queensland and the Hope Vale Arts and Cultural Centre.
$15,000 – Backing Indigenous Arts. The Indigenous Regional Arts Development Fund, part of the Backing Indigenous Arts initiative, is a partnership between the Queensland Government, through Arts Queensland, the Torres Strait Regional Authority and 16 Aboriginal Councils and host organisations. Goals for IRADF are cultural retention and arts development activities.
Seeing their individual designs on fabric has inspired the artists to further explore this art form.
Great to see artists… lives and their special memories shared to many audiences through a different medium, (that is) textiles - Russell Gibson, Board Director.
Makes me happy and proud that our stories and culture were shared and we had a lovely textile facilitator Bobbie Ruben - Grace Rosendale, Artist.
Proud to see my traditional land on fabric for all to see - Madge Bowen, Artist.
What worked well was working with a textile facilitator who brings knowledge, respect and passion for Indigenous culture.
The HopeVale Arts and Cultural Centre has since established a partnership with design brand Magpie Goose, with fabrics to be recreated into boutique clothing.
HopeVale textiles were featured in Intertwined, the fashion performance held as part of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Festival 2018 in April 2018.
Melanie Gibson
Art Centre Manager
Website: https://www.hopevaleart.com/
A pdf version (294.9 KB) of this case study is also available.