As the world grows more turbulent and worrying, four Canberra textile artists celebrate the security and comfort of “home” in the latest exhibition at Mawson Gallery.

Belinda Jessup, Martine Peters, Emma Rees, Lucie Verhelst  use different techniques and materials to represent the concept of dwellings from their own personal angles. 

Through repetition, structure, tactility, colour (or no colour), organic and rigid forms, in a minimal or complex manner they aim to express the idea of “home” as a “small reflection of our society, a little part of something big.”

Graduates of Canberra’s School of Art , they say in a combined artists’statement that a house is not just a three-dimensional object, but a place that can be loaded with turbulent emotions. The works  from each artist however,  are positive, not alarming or disturbing. 

“There are many visual ways to create a certain atmosphere around our dwellings,” they say. 

“In a time when there is so much out there that is causing us disturbance, sadness, in which we are overwhelmed by circumstance, either on the macro or micro, global or neighbourhood it is always comforting to come back to this most basic level,” they said.

“Living in our own space brings us back to this. If we experience hardship around us, we can withdraw into our nest. 

“Houses reflect the common struggle to create order in our life. They are the place where our daily life starts and ends. The home has come to signify safety, in a form of shelter. 

“It can draw on our emotions, the feeling of security or comfort and a sense of belonging. Our home is part of the neighbourhood, which is part of our state, country, continent and world.”
 

The exhibition begins at MAWSON GALLERY, 63 Wilkins Street, Mawson on 13 April and runs until 15 May.  It will be opened by Catrina Vignando, General Manager, Craft Australia. Opening hours are 10.30am – 5.30pm Wednesday to Sunday. Or by appointment anytime.  Phone 6161 2177,  mobile 0438 473 902.

Website:  www.mawsongallery.com.au 

High res photographs are available on rquest – phone 6161 2177