Beyond The Doily: From My Wondow

In 2020 Banyule Arts and Culture coordinated ‘From My Window’, where six local shopping strips were activated with art installations in over 30 shopfronts of local businesses across Banyule. The timing was perfect as the installations occurred just after Melbourne came out of Lockdown and were emerging from their homes to reconnect in the community. It was a great opportunity to support artists and local business affected by the impact of the Covd-19 pandemic.

I was one of the artists selected for this opportunity. I love creating site specific installations that respond to people, place and time. I loved the idea of art being used as a medium to reconnect and engage once we were able to get out and about in our communities again.

The first piece I created was for Watsonia Optical. Using threads that I had in my collection I set about designing profiles of faces that would sit within custom made wire armatures in the shape of a face. It was a great opportunity to experiment with design and play with various grounds and textures. I loved the freedom of being able to play with stitches and tweak the design as I was working it.

I wear glasses and find they help express my personality. We are all individuals within our community. I hope this piece brings warmth and cheer to the individuals who pass by. I hope they also wonder – what is bobbin lace?.... and then look it up and realise it is more than just doilies.

The second artwork was made for Kids 1^st Op Shop in Rosanna. For this piece I set myself the challenge of using items purchased from the Op Shop and transforming them into a piece that showcases the art of lace making. This piece shows what is possible when imagination and creativity mix with pre-loved objects. The original objects, 5 t-shirts - each filled with its own memory, are transformed into new possibilities.

Lace is an old craft filled with tradition. This tradition can also be practiced in new imaginative ways, especially when using alternative materials. I hope this piece sparks curiosity and imagination and shows that art is accessible and possible in many forms.