Contemporary Australian artist Louiseann King draws inspiration from the forest that surrounds her studio and home in Eganstown, Victoria.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Since moving from Melbourne in 2008, King has keenly observed the ebb and flow of the forest, which not only provides conceptual stimulus, but tangible elements that are woven into her work.
The natural world provides rich symbolism for self-exploration as well as a medium for King to probe broader cultural and social structures and histories.
King has a particular interest in the lived experience of women in rural Australia and the objects made to describe histories and define identities – the sense of pride and production of women utilising whatever is accessible for individual and collective expression.
Last year, she was selected as Bendigo Art Gallery’s Going Solo artist for 2017.
This provided her with the unique opportunity to work closely with curators to develop a significant new work for exhibition.
In the development of this work, as well as gathering from the forest, King is collecting items from the community. She is currently seeking samples of filet crochet.
Filet crochet is made using two simple crochet stitches. Mimicking the appearance of lace, it follows a structured grid pattern to emphasise pictures and text over complex embellishment.
While it is still made today, it was most popular in decades past when it took pride of place in the domestic realm used to produce soft furnishings like curtains, tablecloths, doilies and placemats.
When describing the use of filet crochet in her new installation, which will be on display at Bendigo Art Gallery from November this year, King says: “I am endeavouring to take examples of filet crotchet which have previously existed exclusively in private and domestic milieus and allow these items to be examined through a social, cultural and feminist lens.
“I am inviting the community to look at their personal textile collections with a different eye – one where items have the potential to become integrated into an artwork.
“To consider the physicality of the textiles, their visual content, their materiality and the stories contained within and around them.”
Items of filet crochet donated to the project will provide creative material for exploration that will inform the final work.
If you have examples of filet crochet and/or are interested to find out more about Louiseann King’s Going Solo project and how you can contribute email louiseannzahraking@gmail.com
