Loom used to bring lake to life

THE placid background of Lake Wendouree is being celebrated with the first solo show by a recently relocated creative.

Textile artist Joy Smith has been living in the region for about a year after decades of being based in Melbourne, and said she’s been enamoured by the lake’s atmosphere in particular.

“Moving up here, I was influenced by living by the lake,” she said.

“I don’t make it up here every day but I try and come most days either on a walk or to sit and stare at the birdlife. There’s a calmness to it, and a sense of space and peace with the water.”

Smith’s admiration for the lake is forming the basis for much of her current show at the Old Butchers Shop Gallery, Here and There.

Alongside 14 works based on her newly-favoured scenery, the exhibition is being amplified with works from older collections in Smith’s catalogue.

“There’s one on still life jugs either from the NGV or my own jugs. There’s also a series on windswept trees from when I’d go back to Warrnambool, where I’m from, to visit my parents,” she said.

“That series is from 2003. Theres’ another one of vegetables from my garden back in Melbourne, and another from my travels.

“Lastly, there’s the Lady and the Bunyip series, which I made in 2013 as an Australian turn on The Lady and the Unicorn tapestry series in Paris.”

Smith previously worked for 15 years as a production weaver at the Australian Tapestry Workshop, where she helped create large pieces exhibited for public or private display.

Working with a traditional loom, she said her tapestry practice is generally a laborious one.

“It’s quite slow and intricate in feeling so I spend a lot of time in my studio,” she said.

“A lot of people think tapestry’s embroidery, and that’s one name for tapestry, but what I do, I actually weave with a loom.

“I’ve got long threads that go up and down, and then I weave colourful threads across. That’s what make up the images.”

Here and There is on show until Sunday 22 December.

Smith will be present at the gallery from noon to 4pm on weekends, where she’ll demonstrate her looming practice. She can also be at the gallery by appointment on 0417 313 741.