The Riddoch Arts and Culture Centre is leaping into spring with a series of exhibitions focussing on textiles.
Two solo exhibitions with local connections will launch tomorrow at 6pm, including Domestic Arts by Sera Waters and Close to Home by Joann Fife.
Domestic Arts sees former Mount Gambier resident and now Adelaide-based artist Sera Waters delve into her family history to unravel the complexities of settler homemaking and its place in South Australia’s history.
Riddoch Arts and Culture development officer Serena Wong was full of praise for the upcoming exhibitions.
“Using traditional home craft materials and techniques, Sera celebrates the knowledge and creativity of ‘women’s work’ while interrogating the impact and legacy of home-making in settler-colonial life,” Ms Wong said.
“Jo Fife’s work focusses on hand made textiles inspired by domestic processes. Referencing both time and place, her work draws on family connections and geological observations within the Limestone Coast.
“Close to Home is centred on Jo’s immediate landscape, telling a deeply personal story, that is irrevocably entwined with the complex and enduring geological layers this regions is celebrated for.”
Following the launch of the exhibitions, the Mount Gambier Branch of the Embroiders’ Guild of SA will also open their 50th anniversary exhibition, A thousand uses for millions of needles, showcasing the diversity of embroidery practice in our region.
The Telling Tales community stitch project, launched in 2020, will also be on display at The Riddoch throughout spring.
“We are taking the opportunity this textile season to unveil the Telling Tales project in Mount Gambier. The project involved calling for Limestone Coast residents to embroider tales of the region last year to be combined into one large piece,” Ms Wong said.
“The community contributions have now been combined and the large piece will be on display for all to enjoy.”
All three exhibitions will be on display from September 11 to late October 2021 and will be complemented by a series of textile workshops offered by the artists.
“If these exhibitions spark your interest, look out for all the textile workshops we have on offer including special sessions with artists Sera Waters and Jo Fife, along with ‘come and stitch’ sessions with the Embroiders Guild and felting for children,” Ms Wong said.
Visit www.theriddoch.com.au for more information.
