THIS week we chat with fibre artist Rozlyn Effenberg, who credits a 12-day immersion craft tour in Japan where she spent her days weaving, dyeing, eating and being inspired by the immediate environment as a pivotal point in her career.<\/p>\n
What initially motivated you to become a fibre artist?<\/strong><\/p>\n I first became interested in fibre arts as a student here in Bendigo at the Teachers\u2019 College in the early 70s.<\/p>\n I majored in Art and my studio practice was threads and textiles.<\/p>\n How do you describe your style and how did you develop it?<\/strong><\/p>\n My style is very freeform, often allowing the materials to dictate.<\/p>\n For example, I like to stitch using variegated thread and allow the patterns to just emerge.<\/p>\n I have been influenced by the Japanese form of weaving – Saori – where there are no rules and where a fault becomes a feature, which is very liberating for a Virgo like myself.<\/p>\n I also like to use natural objects in my work.<\/p>\n For example, I crochet but push the boundaries by crocheting around rocks and leaves.<\/p>\n I love sticks and seed pods and incorporate these into my work as well.<\/p>\n I reuse and upcycle fabrics destined for landfill by using them in my stitching and weaving.<\/p>\n Which other artists inspire you and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n No one in particular, but it\u2019s always wonderful to view other`s work and gain inspiration from it.<\/p>\n I love attending exhibitions and supporting local artists.<\/p>\n What are some highlights or fond memories you have of your career so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n A pivotal point in my career was a 12-day immersion craft tour in Japan where we spent our days weaving, dyeing, eating and being inspired by our immediate environment.<\/p>\n I was introduced to Indigo\/Shibori* which is one of my favourite aspects of my practice (*a method of dyeing patterns by twisting, binding, wrapping, folding and stitching).<\/p>\n Another highlight is exhibiting with other artists.<\/p>\n For example, Cloak at The Living Art Space (2023) at the Visitor Centre in Pall Mall and Kinetic at Kennington Reservoir (2022) in Strathdale.<\/p>\n This year I also exhibited my work in the Celebration of Saori exhibition in Clunes and the recent coLab exhibition at Dudley House.<\/p>\n Being part of Open Studios was also a highlight of the year, where 36 local artists opened their studios to see where art lives.<\/p>\n I love to still be a student by attending workshops.<\/p>\n I hosted Saori weaving workshops at Honeysuckle Cottage Studio at the end of October where Prue from Dyeing to Weave inspired us all.<\/p>\n I got to weave both days as well as make cups of tea and pass around TimTams and Minties.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve also booked into a 4-day Indigo\/Shibori workshop in the Grampians next March to further develop my skills, and be inspired by others.<\/p>\n