Image: Leslie Falls, Talismans for a country woman
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And the winner is...
Supreme Award - $4000 cash prize sponsored by Nelson City Council and Arts Council Nelson.
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Kate Sellar Whanganui
From the summit rocks of Mt Cook, to the pavement under our feet, lichens are more than just geological time markers. Described as “stains of time” these miniature ecosystems are composite structures usually made up of algae or cyanobacteria (and sometimes both). Fungi capture algae in web-like filaments and cultivate the carbohydrates they produce – a partnership that allows fungi and algae to survive and flourish in hostile environments. These slow agents of destruction and renewal, able to withstand the harshest of climates and even the cold vacuum of space, have one major weakness, a high sensitivity to atmospheric pollution. Because lichen have no root structure, they absorb their nutrition from rain and air; growth and overall health are therefore determined by air quality. Seen as biomonitors of environmental health, lichens slow arc through time acts as a counterpoint, to the rapidity and excess of human centred production. This mixed media textile work features several 3D printed motifs, machine/hand stitching on felt and tulle. Designed to resemble the intricate structures and patterns of lichen found on black scoria rocks found throughout New Zealand.
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Stains of Time
media mixed media, felt, stitch and 3D printing on acrylic felt and tulle 1000 mm x 800 mm machine embroidery, hand stitching, needle felt and 3D printing on fabric |
Award of Distinction - $1500 cash Prize sponsored by Arts Council Nelson and Fresh Choice Nelson City.
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McQuarrie, Caroline
Wellington / Te Whanganui a Tara From the series This Blasted Heath depicting overlooked sites in Te Waipounamu, Aotearoa. Named by Pākeha settlers during the goldrush, initially the sites were photographed on medium format black and white film and scanned. The digital files were then used to create hand woven textiles on a TC2 digital Jacquard loom. Why re- create a photograph as a piece of fabric? To ‘take’ a photo can be a quick, instinctive gesture, a moment’s attention captured. To re-make that image with a slow, hand-made process implies time and care; overlooked places are pulled to our attention. In the weaving, the image loses fine detail found in the original photograph, yet we are drawn closer to the details in the weave. The closer we try to look, the less we see. woven cotton 870 mm x 900 mm photograph handwoven on digital Jacquard loom |
Bullock Creek, Buller District (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Rārua rohe)
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Award of Merit - $500 cash prize sponsored by Creative Journeys and Dame Suzie Moncrieff.
Are We There Yet?
too many glass beads to count
450 mm x 500 mm (mounted), 200 mm x 280 mm (piece) threaded over too many hours to countenance |
Sarah Read
Wellington / Te Whanganui a Tara ‘We have been walking down a long hallway for many, many months, since the pandemic highlighted the liminal space of our society: we left the room we resided in pre- COVID, but we have not yet found a room to rest.’ (Crossing the Liminal Space of the Pandemic, Jessica Bloom). This work is the embodiment of my ongoing paralysis in the face of challenges small and large. For months now— as the planet burns, society twists, my art stagnates and our family situation demands my care—I have taken every opportunity to sit in my studio, mostly alone, joining tiny bead to tiny bead. It’s fear, of course, and overwhelm. New Normal dawned a while ago, we just don’t want to call it ‘home’. It’s not what we envisioned for our lives; this paddock, parched and chill, these porous walls. We tut and mutter, reminisce. Unsettled, stateless, mostly in the dark. |
Bernina Award for the most creative use of a sewing machine.
- $2,000 cash prize sponsored by Bernina New Zealand
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Giles Panting Mapua
In this work I am exploring my recollections of the portraits seen during my European childhood; C16th, C17th and C18th men and women of high class adorned in lace. I wondered at the detailed painting of fine white lines on black ground, to emphasise the wealth and power of the sitter. In the C21st, the lives and actions of many of these men and women, once considered great and historic icons, are being re-examined and re-evaluated on grounds of how their wealth was amassed. From this modern day deconstruction, we must construct a new, informed understanding of history and how the actions of the past continue to inform the reality of today. Legacy: Deconstruct / Reconstruct
homespun cotton, thread 3000 mm x 900 mm reverse appliqué: machine stitching, cutting, hand-stitching |
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Changing Threads National Contemporary Textile Fibre Art Awards is a National Exhibition organised by Arts Council Nelson and held annually at the Refinery ArtSpace. Encouraging fibre & textile artists to push the boundaries of contemporary practise. Over the years the Awards have grown and proven to be highly valued both by artists and viewers and has gained recognition as the most prestigious awards event in this area of arts practice. The awards will take place with a celebration opening on Friday 12th May from 5.30pm at Refinery ArtSpace. 114 Hardy St Nelson.
FINALISTS 2023
Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to the amazing artists from around the country whose creative effort and commitment enable us the privilege of presenting such a wonderful showcase of contemporary New Zealand fibre and textile art practice. Competition for inclusion was particularly high this year as was the quality of work entered. There were 110 entries and a hearty congratulations goes out to all entrants and to the 31 finalists and 37 pieces that have been selected for inclusion in the exhibition and will be considered for the $8500 in awards.
Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to the amazing artists from around the country whose creative effort and commitment enable us the privilege of presenting such a wonderful showcase of contemporary New Zealand fibre and textile art practice. Competition for inclusion was particularly high this year as was the quality of work entered. There were 110 entries and a hearty congratulations goes out to all entrants and to the 31 finalists and 37 pieces that have been selected for inclusion in the exhibition and will be considered for the $8500 in awards.
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Alice Alva
Sandra Brooks Stephanie Campbell Jazz Danis Morag Dean Val Griffith Jones Susan Heydon Natalie Holland Jay Hutchinson Maggy J Sherril Jennings Viktoria Karaman Alison Leauanae Pam McKinlay Rachel McMillan Adele McNutt |
Marina McPherson
Caroline McQuarrie Yoke Helwes - Martens Stef Naldi Giles Panting Colleen Plank Sarah Pumphrey Sarah Read Leanne Rogerson Kate Sellar Norma Slabbert Vicki Smith Ailie Snow Cindy Walter Anya Whitlock |
Online Catalogue 2023
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Our Selectors for 2023...
Lianne Edwards’ art practice focusses on exploring our relationship with the natural world.
Environmental concerns have been foremost in her work, with a recent focus on the key issues facing the marine environment. She has collaborated with organisations such as the Sea Cleaners initiative, repurposing discarded materials from our coastlines and seas; and also with wildlife scientists, to highlight the plight of endangered albatross. Drawing on her background in ecology and conservation she melds art and science to create intricate works from an eclectic collection of materials including postage stamps, fibre and textiles, waste products and science data. Her work is held in the Chartwell Collection, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki; Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wallace Arts Trust and other private and public collections. Lianne is represented by Whitespace Contemporary Art, Auckland. |
Ronnie Martin is an award-winning textile and mixed media artist. She has had several solo shows, and exhibited widely in national and international exhibitions. She has received a number of awards for mixed media, creative textiles and painting. She is currently on the committee of the Nelson Suter Art Society. Ronnie is part of the Creative Journey Workshops group and is a very experienced tutor. She is passionate about community arts education and sits on the Creative Communities committee.
Ronnie has been a guest judge for many Quilting, Embroidery and Creative Fibre exhibitions and has been the Creative Director for Changing Thread Awards show for Contemporary Fibres and textiles since its inception "This prestigious exhibition aims to challenge the public perception of fibre and textile art. The work is conceptual, with a high standard of technical skill". |
Jo Kinross is a contemporary fibre artist living and working in Nelson NZ.
In 2003, with her partner, artist David Ryan, she moved from Melbourne. Moving to Nelson provided Jo with the opportunity to work full time with textiles. Working with natural materials and sustainable studio practices are an essential part of her work. Contemporary natural dyeing is a focal point of her work. In 2014 she started to work almost exclusively with organic indigo on natural fibres. Working with natural dyes, botanical inks and graphite on paper has since become the main vehicle for Jo’s creative expression. She is also committed to arts education and community development and is a partner in Creative Journeys Workshops. Jo has been involved with Changing Threads since 2010, first as an exhibitor and from 2013 to the present as a Selector. |
Our Judges...
Josephine Cachemaille
Josephine Cachemaille is an award-winning installation artist who makes paintings, objects and assemblages. Her installations offer sustained scenarios for sensuous engagement with her artworks, playfully asking viewers to enter into the explicitly anthropomorphic activity that underpins her methodology. She has had multiple solo and public exhibitions, including recent shows with The Dowse Art Museum, Wallace Arts Trust Pah Homestead, and Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery, Auckland Tamaki Makaurau. Recent work has shown at The University of Hawai’i, and The University of Wyoming Art Museum and she was part of the New Zealand Presentation at the Beijing Biennale, 2019. She lives in Nelson New Zealand with her husband, music journalist Grant Smithies and their daughter Rosa.
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Dr Kyla Mackenzie
Dr Kyla Macenzie formerly of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Te Tai Tokerau Northland, has recently taken up the role of Curator and Collections Manager at Te Aratoi o Whakatū - The Suter Art Gallery and has previously worked in the community arts and the gallery-sector, both public and private, and in Auckland and London. She holds a doctorate in art history and has diverse interests in the arts.
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We are extremely grateful to our award sponsors; Nelson City Council, Nelson Tasman, Bernina NZ, Fresh Choice Nelson City, Creative Journeys, Dame Suzie Moncrieff, Hot Clay Gallery
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