Annual show about weaving works

AN annual exhibition aimed at celebrating emerging and established textile creatives has returned.
All manner of works from sculptures to stitched and suspended pieces are on show as part of the Textile Palette exhibition.
Held most years in Clunes since 2016, the event’s regional coordinator Christine Lethlean said it’s about highlighting the breadth of textile artists in the region and beyond.
“It’s really about showcasing the works of Victorian textile artists, and now we’re attracting quite a few interstate artists as well,” she said.
“It’s an emerging area on the visual arts platform and showcasing the textile realm of visual arts display.
“I still get confused as Christine the quiltmaker and someone who’s a dressmaker, a patch worker, an applique worker, or a quilter, to see these applied into sculpture and wall installations made with threads and textiles.”
Taking place at Esmond Gallery at The Warehouse, Lethlean, an arts teacher, established the exhibition as a way of showcasing her students’ textile works. The show will see about 44 pieces from 36 artists.
The theme for the exhibition is ‘distortion, the evolution of body enhancement’ which Lethlean said is a carryover from last year’s event; their first following COVID restrictions.
“This is the first time we’ve set a theme,” she said. “Last year was our first in three years of accumulative work and ideas during the COVID period.
“It set a precedent. This year’s is about their response to things like the beauty and fashion industries, and cultural rites like scarring and jewellery.
“It’s anything to do with body modification which is a space we’re moving in, in the world. It’ll be reflected in the works.”
The gallery will be open from 10am to 4pm every day except Tuesdays.
The exhibition is running until Sunday 28 April.