Powerful messages stitched into art

ART lovers will have the opportunity to indulge in thought-provoking pieces at the 2026 Biennial Textile Palette Exhibition in Clunes later this year.

Entries are open until 20 February for the event, which is being held at The Warehouse on Fraser Street from 11 April to 3 May.

Christine Lethlean, regional coordinator of the exhibition, said textile art has a rich history of presenting compelling themes to audiences.

“Textile art – and think of banners for example, significant political banners, trade union banners, flags, emblematic flags and articles, items like that – have sent a strong message in war and peace,” she said. “Textiles is a soft landing pad, and can be a soft landing pad for powerful messages.

“We’re talking about fabrics, something that’s soft, malleable, workable, that there will be a strong, interesting, thought-provoking message behind most of the pieces.

“You go into an exhibition that has conceptual textile work, and it draws you in.”

Ms Lethlean said the theme of the exhibition, titled STUFF: Purpose, profit and peril, was chosen to consider consumerism in a compelling way.

The exhibition is open to enthusiasts as well as emerging and established artists.

“One thing is that we celebrate what a needle and thread and textiles can offer,” she said. “Whether you’re an enthusiast, an emerging artist, coming out through university or establishing yourself, maybe even as an outside artist, or you are established, you’re well known and you have an arts practice.

“It’s like a community that celebrates stitch and fabric.”

Entries close 20 February and are $35 per work. For information, visit textilepaletteexhibition.org or email [email protected]