(“Draped Forest” by
Jeanette Gilks)
The KZNSA gallery will host the 20th anniversary of the South African
Fibreworks group from October 10, 2018.
Titled Edge, the exhibition
features work by Annette McMaster, Celia De Villiers, Colleen Harris, Corina
Lemmer, Dana Biddle, Elaine Barnard, Gina Niederhumer, Helga Beaumont, Hester
Viles, Isabella Manyuchi, Jeanette Gilks, Jenny Hearn, Karin Arbeter, Kim
Tedder, Leonie Malherbe, Mariss Stevens, Odette Tolksdorf, Phumzile Dlamini,
Rosalie Dace, Sally Scott, Sarojani Naidoo, Sheila Walwyn, Sue Physick, Sue
Akerman, Tessa Horan and Tilly de Harde.
To date, there have been nine biennial, national Members’ exhibitions,
showcased in some of the most prestigious art museums and galleries in South
Africa. In addition to national shows, there have been five Major Minors exhibitions. These
artworks, all 25 x 25 cm, sometimes accompanied by a colour catalogue, have
travelled with high acclaim to venues in Europe, Australia and the USA.
The upcoming exhibition – EDGE
– displays recent work of Fibreworks members. There are three parts to the
show: an open, non-themed section; a themed section where Fibreworks artists
were challenged to create a new work in response to an existing South African
artwork displayed in any South African Gallery or Museum, and finally, a Major Minors display of 25 x 25 cm
works.
During the course of the exhibition, a textile installation will unfold
where members of the public are invited to participate in a collaborative
artwork.
The idea of a Fibreworks collective was conjured up in 1998 by a group
of female friends. While some came from quilting backgrounds and others were
trained in graphic design or fine art, they were united in the commitment to
promote fibre and textile art as a serious art form.
Jeanette Gilks, Fibreworks Chairman and a founding member, says, ‘We were
all interested in creating a group that was dedicated to promoting change
within the existing art and craft platforms in South Africa, and we were keen
to generate interaction, present new challenges and foster critical input from
our members.’
So what actually constitutes ‘fibre’ art? Below are excerpts from Fabulous Fibres!, a document given to
all new members:
“Fibre art is an art
form that encompasses a very large range of techniques, materials and
approaches that give the fibre artist possibilities to explore and expand the
art form in almost unlimited ways.
“Fibre’ refers to
materials that are made up of continuous filaments or elongated pieces similar
to lengths of thread. These materials
can be torn, dyed, burnt, frayed, glued, painted, embroidered, woven, ripped,
cut, folded, crumpled, hammered, layered, looped or otherwise manipulated.
Fibreworks artworks
are frequently composed of numerous different types of fiber in combination
with other materials such as paint or found objects
Alternatively, fibre
art can be artwork whose subject matter or content is fibre or textiles. Fibre
art can conceptually address all matters fibre.”
The exhibition is accompanied by a public participation programme. Small
squares of white fabric and various kinds of recycled objects e.g. aluminum
pull-tabs, buttons, etc. will be available, and members of the public are
invited to create a Square of their
Thoughts. Any thoughts or images! These small material tiles will be
displayed on the gallery floor as an expanding installation. Anyone can add
their Thoughts to the growing body of
the collaborative TEXT-TILE artwork.
The exhibition runs from October 10 to 28. The KZNSA Gallery is
situated at 166 Bulwer Road, Glenwood, in Durban. More information on 031 277
1705, fax 031 201 8051 or cell 082 220 0368 or visit www.kznsa.co.za
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